Premier League leaders Arsenal will face Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Thursday night, looking to overcome a strange midweek trend and maintain their six-point lead at the top of the table.
The Gunners come off a strong run with four straight wins, including a solid 3–0 victory over Sunderland. However, they have a unique challenge: despite a strong midweek record overall, Arsenal has not scored in their last three Premier League games played on Thursdays. They will be up against a formidable Brentford team, currently in seventh place, which has surprised many this season. Under Keith Andrews, they have won their last two matches, including a thrilling 3–2 win against Newcastle last weekend.
Brentford vs Arsenal – Match preview and team news
- Date: Thursday, 12 February 2026
- Kick-off: 20:00 GMT
- Venue: Gtech Community Stadium, London
- Referee: John Brooks
- VAR: Stuart Attwell
- Last Meeting: Arsenal 2–0 Brentford (2 Dec 2025), Premier League
Team News
Brentford
Brentford will be without Kevin Schade, who is serving a three-match suspension for violent conduct. Reiss Nelson cannot play against his parent club, and Fabio Carvalho, Antoni Milambo, and Josh Dasilva are still recovering from injuries. After a strong display against Newcastle, the lineup is expected to remain mostly unchanged, although Yehor Yarmolyuk is vying for a starting spot in midfield.
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta has some last-minute fitness decisions to make. Bukayo Saka (hip) and Martin Ødegaard (muscle injury) missed the win against Sunderland and are uncertain for the match. Leandro Trossard is also a doubt due to a calf issue sustained in that game. Viktor Gyökeres is likely to return to the starting XI after scoring twice off the bench last weekend.
Form
Arsenal
Arsenal has performed consistently in local matches, losing just one of their last 23 Premier League London derbies (W17 D5). They have kept three consecutive clean sheets across all competitions. However, the “Thursday curse” is a concern as the team hasn’t scored in their last three league games on this day.
Brentford
Brentford has made their home ground tough for opponents. Igor Thiago has been particularly impressive, scoring nine goals in his last 10 home matches, surpassed only by Erling Haaland this season. They also have a strong attacking efficiency, boasting the best xG per shot in the Premier League for the last five seasons. Even though they haven’t beaten Arsenal in their last eight encounters, their current form indicates they could spring a surprise.
Predicted Lineups
Brentford Predicted XI: Kelleher; Kayode, Van den Berg, Ajer, Henry; Janelt, Henderson; Ouattara, Jensen, Lewis-Potter; Thiago
Arsenal Predicted XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Havertz, Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Gyokeres, Martinelli
How to Watch Brentford vs Arsenal?
The match will be broadcast live in the UK on TNT Sports 1, starting coverage at 19:00 GMT ahead of the 20:00 kick-off. Viewers in the United States can watch the game exclusively on Peacock Premium.
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