Arsenal kick off their Carabao Cup campaign against Premier League and London rival Brentford. So, here is everything you need to know about the EFL Cup third-round tie.
The EFL drew Arsenal away to Brentford for the third round of its competition at the end of August. Mikel Arteta’s team only join the tournament in the third round owing to the north London side playing in Europe. While the Bees won at Newport County in the second round.
Thomas Frank’s Brentford travelled to the League Two club on August 29. Yet they needed a penalty shootout to progress. Newport County held the west London outfit to a 0-0 draw at Rodney Parade. But the Bees breezed through the shootout with a 3-0 victory from the spot.
Arsenal crashed out of the 2022/23 Carabao Cup 3-1 at home to Brighton & Hove Albion in the third round. The Seagulls stunned Arteta’s largely rotated team featuring Kal Hein in the net. While Brentford got into the 22/23 third round before losing on penalties to Gillingham.
Both sides will hope to enjoy better runs in 2023/24 with the Gunners reaching the quarter-finals in 2020/21 and semi-finals in 2021/22. The Bees also made the quarter-finals in 21/22 and 20/21 semi-finals. So, here is everything you need to know about Brentford vs Arsenal…
When is Brentford vs Arsenal?
Arsenal meet Brentford in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, September 27 in a 19:45 kick-off. It is one of nine EFL Cup third-round ties being played that night following seven on Tuesday.
How to watch Brentford vs Arsenal – Is it on TV in the UK?
The Carabao Cup third-round clash between Frank’s Brentford and Arteta’s Arsenal is not on TV in the UK. Sky Sports has only chosen Newcastle United and Manchester City’s clash for live broadcast. So, fans in the UK cannot watch the Bees facing the Gunners on Wednesday.
International fans should check their local TV networks for any coverage, with the full list of Carabao Cup broadcasters available here. ESPN+ will provide TV coverage in North America.
Live stream of Brentford vs Arsenal
While fans in the UK cannot watch Brentford vs Arsenal on TV, they can utilise an audio-only commentary stream from talkSPORT. The sports radio station will run live commentary from the Gtech Community Stadium. Coverage will commence at 19:00 ahead of kick-off at 19:45.
Arsenal team and injury news
Arsenal travel to Brentford in the Carabao Cup with Arteta managing a raft of injury issues in his team news. The Gunners’ problems heightened last Sunday during their 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur. Declan Rice had to go off injured at half-time in the north London derby.
But The Guardian reports that Rice’s back injury is not that serious after he suffered a spasm against Spurs. Arsenal hope to have their club-record signing back available for their Premier League match away to AFC Bournemouth this Saturday, as well, to further limit the severity.
Rice was not their only casualty, though, as Leandro Trossard also skipped the north London derby due to an injury. The winger was unable to feature against Tottenham after sustaining a hamstring injury. He would have started, otherwise, with Gabriel Martinelli still recovering.
Martinelli is, likewise, absent with a hamstring injury the forward picked up during Arsenal’s 1-0 win at Everton. He joined Thomas Partey in their treatment room at London Colney. The Daily Mail reported that Partey is unlikely to recover before the October international break.
Fears arose at Emirates Stadium that Bukayo Saka also suffered an injury against Tottenham after a heavy challenge. But football.london reports that the England winger did not pick up a major issue. He is now recovering after feeling severe pain but should play at Bournemouth.
Prediction: Brentford (1) vs (4) Arsenal
Despite Arsenal’s number of injuries, Arteta would likely have rested Rice and Saka anyway when the Gunners visit Brentford in the Carabao Cup. He knows how important the pair are to the Emirates Stadium outfit’s hopes of lifting the Premier League and Champions League.
Arteta should make changes to his line-up with starts for the likes of Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe possible. Yet, even with the changes, the Spaniard will believe his players have enough quality to progress. They will be desperate to avoid a repeat of last year’s early exit.
Brentford have also struggled to get going so far this season with just two wins across seven games in all competitions. The Bees beat Fulham at Craven Cottage in the Premier League in August. They also needed penalties to pip League Two side Newport County in the EFL Cup.
Since their win at Rodney Parade, Frank has overseen a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth before losing 1-0 to Newcastle United and 3-1 to Everton. Brentford losing to the Toffees will hand Arsenal plenty of encouragement having wasted several chances to take a lead on Saturday.
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