Arsenal vs Brentford LIVE: Ramsdale look to equal Lehmann's record on return as Gunners bid for top spot: Kick-off time, team news and how to follow

Arsenal can make a big difference in the Premier League title race by going top of the table when they host Brentford this weekend.

The Gunners are the country's in-form team at the moment, having scored 31 goals in seven top-flight games in 2024.

Mikel ArtetaThe beaten side Sheffield United 6-0 on Monday to move back to within one point of city ​​of manchesterand two adrift of leaders Liverpool.

With the two teams above them playing each other on Sunday, Arsenal can surpass the couple with the victory over Brentford – with a tie between Jurgen Kloppthe men and pep guardiolaThe then team also consolidated first place.

But with David Raya ineligible to face parent club Brentford, Aaron Ramsdale will return between the sticks for just his sixth Premier League game of the season.

England goalkeeper Ramsdale have kept a clean sheet In both of their meetings with Brentford this season, they have won 1-0 away from home in both the Premier League and the EFL Cup.

The last Gunners goalkeeper to record three shutouts against an opponent in one campaign was Jens Lehmann against Blackburn Rovers in the 2004/05 season.

Thomas FrankThe team languishes in 15th place after a difficult season and is just six points clear of the relegation zone having played one more game than luton city.

5

Arsenal vs Brentford: Kai in the sky

Havertz is beginning to prove his worth in north London after facing harsh treatment since crossing the capital.

Since his £65 million transfer from Chelsea, The German has been branded an 'illusion' that “he is not good enough to play in the Premier League.”

Gabby Agbonlahor also stated Arteta cost Arsenal a shot to this season's title with the signing of Havertz.

However, the 24-year-old has begun to silence his doubters and Arsenal did not sign a new striker during January.

Havertz, who previously played an unorthodox midfield role, has since found a home after taking over as the club's attacking focal point after Gabriel Jesus' injury.

He has three goals and two assists in his last three Premier League games, as many goals and assists as in his previous 32 league games combined (4 goals, 1 assist).

Havertz has scored and assisted in his last two games (against Newcastle and Sheffield United), with Cesc Fabregas being the last Gunners player to do it three in a row back in September 2007.

5

• Arsenal have only lost one of their last 10 meetings with Brentford in all competitions (W7 D2), a 2-0 defeat in the Bees' first Premier League match in August 2021.
• Brentford's Yoane Wissa is looking to score for the first time in three consecutive Premier League games. Six of his last eight goals in the competition have come in London derby matches, although Arsenal are the only London team he has faced but not scored.
• Only three players have been directly involved in more goals in the Premier League this season than Arsenal's Bukayo Saka (21 – 13 goals, 8 assists), with Saka the only player this season to have had more than 200 touches in the opposition box ( 202).

Arsenal vs Brentford: team news

Hosts cannot use the Bees loan. stripeso ramsdale He will briefly regain his starting position in goal.

Arsenal are also sweating over the physical form of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli after an illness and a minor foot problem, respectively.

Both are in line to make the team, with Saka in particular starting, but either Leandro Trossard or Jesus can enter through Martinelli.

Arteta still has some injury problems to deal with, as Takehiro Tomiyasu and Oleksandr Zinchenko Comebacks are coming, but Jurrien Timber remains sidelined.

The visitors still have a long list of casualties, with ben mee the last to join the players in the treatment room.

Bryan MbeumoKevin Schade, Aaron Hickey, Ethan Pinnock, Rico Henry and Josh Dasilva are all eliminated.

5

• Brentford's Yoane Wissa is looking to score for the first time in three consecutive Premier League games. Six of his last eight goals in the competition have come in London derby matches, although Arsenal are the only London team he has faced but not scored.
• Brentford had earned 16 points from their first 11 Premier League games this season, an average of 1.5 per game (W4 D4 L3). Since then, they have managed just 10 points in 16 Premier League games, an average of 0.6 per game (W3 D1 L12).
• Brentford have dropped a league-high 28 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season; It is the most since Southampton in 2021-22 (29), while only four teams have lost 30+ in a single campaign: Newcastle in 2004-05 (31), Chelsea in 1995-96 (33), Wimbledon in 1999- 00. (33) and Tottenham in 2007-08 (33).

Arsenal vs Brentford: What has been said?

This weekend could win the Premier League title against Arsenalthat is the belief of talkSPORT Simon Jordanhaving recently branded them as “bottlers” that shook Gunners legend Martin Keown.

“The interesting thing about Arsenal is that if the results go well this weekend, if Liverpool and Man City draw and Arsenal do what I expect them to do against Brentford, Arsenal will go into a three-week break from the Premier League in the top of the league,” he said. White and Jordan host.

“And I think if they get to the top of the league (before the international break), I think they could win the league.

“They have the momentum behind them. I think that this time we will see the emotional intelligence and the change of direction, the signings of Declan Rice and people like that and the general resolution within the team

“I think if they get to the top of the league at a time when they control their destiny, they won't make the same mistakes they made last year.

“I know they have to place Manchester City and I think this season will depend on who doesn't slip. “I think they will all beat the teams around them, but when they play each other, that will be the slip, and Arsenal can take advantage of that slip to go to the top of the league.”

5

• Arsenal have won all seven of their Premier League games in 2024, scoring 31 goals and conceding just three. They are the first team in the history of the English top flight to have scored more than 30 goals in their first seven games in a year, with 29 being the previous most, achieved by Sunderland in 1893 and Arsenal in 1931.
• After losing 2-0 to West Ham and 2-1 to Fulham at the end of 2023, Arsenal's two London Premier League derbies so far in 2024 have seen them beat Crystal Palace 5-0 and to West Ham 6-0. Only the Gunners themselves in 1934-35 have scored more than 5 goals in three consecutive London derby matches in the history of the English league.
• Brentford have won just one of their nine visits to Arsenal in all competitions (D4 L4), a 2-0 league victory in April 1938.

Arsenal vs Brentford: how to follow

This Premier League clash will take place on Saturday, March 9.

The start in the Emirates is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

The match will be televised on Sky Sports Main, as well as Sky Sports Premier League.

talkSPORT will provide live updates throughout the afternoon, while talkSPORT.com will be on hand for the best reactions.