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2023/24 English Premier League
Matchday 28
Arsenal v Brentford
Emirates Stadium
London, England
Saturday, 9 March 2024
Kick-off is at 18h30
Arsenal will be looking to make it four
Premier League games unbeaten against Brentford when they lock horns in a London derby at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, March 9 in the late kick-off.
The Gunners have won three of their last four meetings with the Bees since suffering a 2-0 defeat in the first-ever Premier League encounter between the two teams on 13 August 2021 at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Mikel Arteta's side are contenders for the title again this season and they trailed league leaders Liverpool by five points ahead of their clash with Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on March 4.
The North Londoners beat Newcastle 4-1 in the capital on February 24 to remain third in the standings after extending their winning streak to six matches.
The Reds edged Nottingham Forest 1-0 at the City Ground on March 2, while Manchester City ran out 3-1 victors against neighbours Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium one day later to maintain the one-point gap to the summit in second position.
Thomas Frank's side snapped a three-game losing sequence after they battled back from behind to hold local rivals Chelsea to a 2-2 draw in West London on March 2.
The point took Brentford above Everton (16th) into 15th spot on goal difference, with the Toffees seeing their winless run stretch to 10 matches following a 3-1 reverse to West Ham at Goodison Park.
The Bees closed within two points of Crystal Palace (14th), who were beaten 3-1 by Tottenham in another London derby on March 2.
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In team news, Jurrien Timber (knee) is the only definite absentee for Arteta, although Oleksandr Zinchenko (calf), Takehiro Tomiyasu and Thomas Partey (thigh) are closing in on their respective comebacks. Frank continues to be without Joshua Dasilva, Rico Henry (both knee), Ben Mee, Ethan Pinnock, Bryan Mbeumo (all ankle), Aaron Hickey (thigh) and Kevin Schade (groin).
Goal difference could yet come into play at the end of the season to decide the title and Arteta stressed the importance of keeping the goals flowing after seeing his team score 25 goals in their last six outings.
"Yes for sure it's an important element there," the Spaniard said. "First of all, you have to earn the right to win the games. We want to be ruthless and efficient in front of goal and I think lately we've been really good."
Frank expressed pride in his players for responding to their poor performance against West Ham, which ended in a 4-2 defeat, as they almost beat the Blues thanks to a stunning comeback in the second half.
"I wanted a bounce back from the players after a bad performance against West Ham, because that was not us - and the response I saw today was extremely pleasing, I must say," the Dane said.
"The first half was fine, good, not through the roof. But second half, wow, incredible. Playing against one of the biggest clubs in the league, we have so many key players out, and the way the players responded today is fantastic. I'm so, so pleased and so proud of them.
"The whole week they have been good, from coming in Tuesday, the way they spoke up at half-time, after the game, in training - it's a special group of players and they are driving it from within the squad."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Arsenal wins - 3
Brentford wins - 1
Draws - 1
Premier League Matchday 28 fixtures:
Saturday, March 9
14h30: Manchester United v Everton
17h00: Bournemouth v Sheffield United
17h00: Crystal Palace v Luton Town
17h00: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Fulham
19h30: Arsenal v Brentford
Sunday, March 10
15h00: Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur
16h00: Brighton & Hove Albion v Nottingham Forest
16h00: West Ham United v Burnley
17h45: Liverpool v Manchester City
Monday, March 11
22h00: Chelsea v Newcastle United
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