Arsenal predicted line-up vs Brentford: two key changes made amid big Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka decisions

Arsenal remain 2nd in the Premier League table behind Liverpool and look set to miss out on the title once again this season. They are back in action on Saturday against Brentford as they aim to close the gap on the Reds. Mikel Arteta’s side head into the game on the back of their impressive 3-0 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League last time out.

The Gunners have one foot in the semi-finals and head over to Spain for the second leg next week. Declan Rice scored two superb free-kicks against the La Liga giants at the Emirates Stadium. Mikel Merino also got himself on the scoresheet.

Arsenal goalkeeper and defensive options

Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya is in line to play against his former club Brentford. He was the Bees’ number one before his switch to his current club. The former Blackburn Rovers man kept a clean sheet against Real Madrid and should be in confident mood.

Jurrien Timber and Lewis Miles-Skelly are likely to get the nod again for the Gunners. The latter has competition from Kieran Tierney from the bench if needed. They both like to get up and down the flanks of defence and get forward when they can when Arteta’s side attack.

In the heart of defence, the ever-present William Saliba will be looking to keep Brentford at bay. Jakub Kiwior has stepped in for the injured Gabriel and has done well over the past couple of matches. Gabriel is out for the rest of the campaign which has opened the door for the Poland international to get his chance to show what he can do.

Will Bukayo Saka start against Brentford?

Rice was the star of the show for Arsenal against Real Madrid. However, he is a doubt for this fixture against Brentford. Arteta has said: “I think Dec had an issue with his foot. I don't know if it was a tackle or what it was.”

The Gunners won’t want to risk the ex-West Ham man against the Bees and have a decision to make. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him taken out of the firing line for this one and replaced by Jorginho alongside Martin Odegaard and Thomas Partey in the middle of the park. He will be assessed over the next 24 hours or so.

Arteta will also have to weigh up whether to play Saka against Thomas Frank’s men. His injury issues have been well documented over recent times and although he has returned recently, something new has cropped up. Arteta has said: “Bukayo was after he got tackled on the foul. I think he had a knock, and he had to go [off].”

Leandro Trossard will be ready and waiting to step up if Saka is dropped. The 30-year-old has made 46 appearances in all competitions this term and has scored seven goals. He chipped in with 17 last term but hasn’t quite reached the same heights. Gabriel Martinelli should be in the starting XI again with Merino up. Arsenal still have a host of players sidelined up top including Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz. That is an area they will look to address in the summer window.

Arsenal predicted XI vs Brentford: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Partey, Odegaard, Jorginho; Trossard, Merino, Martinelli.