‘We have to be ready’: Martin Odegaard highlights how Brentford can cause Arsenal harm

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Arsenal are set to take on Brentford in the Premier League, and will be hoping to make it eight wins in a row.

Mikel Arteta’s side will head into the clash at the Emirates fresh from their 6-0 victory over Sheffield United, knowing that they can go top of the table ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Manchester City.

Brentford are suffering from several injury issues, and have won just one of their last six games, and Arsenal fans will be confident of another victory given their side’s outstanding form.

However, there is no room for error in this title race, and captain Martin Odegaard has urged his team to be wary of the threat Brentford could provide at the Emirates.

Martin Odegaard highlights Brentford threat

Writing in his captain’s programme notes ahead of the game, Odegaard pointed out that Brentford can cause danger against bigger sides through their physicality and set-pieces.

“Brentford drew here last season, and have a great record against the top teams, so they are always a very strong team to play against,” he claimed.

“They are good on set pieces, get a lot of restarts and they look to put you under pressure with their direct play. We have to be ready for it, get the ball down and play our own game.”

Arsenal need to be wary of Brentford danger

Despite their poor form, Brentford have coped well against opposition who seek to dominate the ball. They held Chelsea to a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge last week, whilst they also narrowly lost 1-0 to Manchester City recently.

Arsenal’s draw with Brentford last season saw them take the lead through Leandro Trossard before they were pegged back with a controversial goal.

This highlights the importance of scoring early, and sealing victory with a big lead, rather than scraping through and running the risk of conceding an equaliser.

Reported Arsenal target Ivan Toney will be lining up at the Emirates, and he is someone who can cause problems with his physicality, whilst his strike partner Neal Maupay has had countless run-ins with Arsenal in the past, and will be extra motivated to cause an upset in North London.

With Aaron Ramsdale coming back into goal, it remains to be seen whether Brentford will try and apply extra pressure to him on set-pieces, and should they succeed, it will be a test of Arsenal’s character if they can dig out another vital win.