If Arsenal want to win the Premier League, they need to win the first match of 2025 against Brentford.
A win for the Gunners would take them into second, six points behind Liverpool but above high-flying Nottingham Forest.
But to do so, they will have to beat a Bees side who have one of the best home records this term.
There is no Bukayo Saka for Mikel Arteta, but the Spaniard has plenty of tricks up his sleeve for the New Year.
Read on to see how both teams line-up.
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Brentford line-up
Your Bees to take on Arsenal 👊 pic.twitter.com/JGpa41XFRj
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) January 1, 2025
Thomas Frank is not deviating from his three-at-the-back formation.
Mark Flekken is in goal, with a back three of Vitaly Janelt, Nathan Collins and Sepp van den Berg.
Keane Lewis-Potter and Mads Roerslev will play as wing-backs, with Christian Norgaard, Yagor Yarmolyuk and Mikkel Damsgaard in the middle.
It is two up front for the Bees.
Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa will attack the Arsenal half.
Arsenal line-up
🟣 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 🔵
🇪🇸 Merino in the middle
❤️ Nwaneri makes first PL start
⚡️Jesus leads the lineLet’s do this, Gunners ✊ pic.twitter.com/tjYLSADhdY
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 1, 2025
There are a few surprises from Arteta for this one.
David Raya is in goal, with Riccardo Calafiori back in at left-back with Gabriel, William Saliba and Jurrien Timber completing the defence.
Mikel Merino joins Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard in midfield.
Gabriel Martinelli is on the left, with Ethan Nwaneri expected to play on the right,
Gabriel Jesus is the man at the top of the pitch.
