Arsenal legend Paul Merson has now warned Mikel Arteta’s team to ‘be careful’ during all set-pieces at Brentford in his prediction for this Saturday’s Premier League match.
The Gunners will travel across the capital as they come out of the final international break of 2023. Arsenal went into the pause in games sitting third in the table after edging Burnley 3-1 at Emirates Stadium. While Brentford rank in 11th after losing 3-0 to Liverpool last time out.
Arsenal can end this weekend atop the Premier League, though, with title-rivals Manchester City also hosting Liverpool this Saturday. The top two meet at Etihad Stadium in a 12:30 kick-off before Arteta takes his north Londoners to Brentford. Arsenal will play the 17:30 kick-off.
Merson issues his prediction for Brentford vs Arsenal
Just one point currently splits early-leaders Manchester City and Arsenal in third through 12 games this season. Liverpool are second in the standings but are only above the Gunners on goal difference. The Reds have scored 27 times to Arsenal’s 26 with both allowing 10 goals.
No top-flight club has conceded fewer goals than Arteta and Jurgen Klopp’s sides so far this term. Yet Merson fears the threat Brentford can present Arsenal from any set-pieces. But he predicts the Gunners to come out on top in a high-scoring Gtech Community Stadium clash.
“Arsenal will go into this game after having known the result of City and Liverpool’s clash,” Merson has told Sportskeeda. “Brentford are a strong team and if Arsenal can match their physicality and be careful during set-pieces, they should win [3-1] here.”
Merson’s set-piece concerns may be slightly misguided
While Merson has warned Arsenal to ‘be careful’ at set-pieces against Brentford, his concern may be slightly misguided. No Premier League side has proven stronger at set-pieces so far this term than the Gunners. While the Bees’ output has been rather average in comparison.
Per WhoScored, Arsenal lead the Premier League with eight goals from set-pieces this term. Yet Brentford only have a share of 12th place with two goals, level with Sheffield United and below Luton Town (3). Just five sides have fewer goals from set-pieces than Brentford so far.
Arsenal further reached eight goals from set-pieces in the Premier League this term during their 3-1 win over Burnley. William Saliba restored the Gunners’ lead from a corner Leandro Trossard delivered. He was in the ideal place to meet the Belgian’s cross in the six-yard area.
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