Arsenal vs Brentford LIVE! Premier League result, match stream and latest updates today

Arsenal vs Brentford - LIVE!

Kai Havertz’s 86th-minute winner moved Arsenal to the top of the Premier as they beat Brentford 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium. With title rivals Liverpool and Manchester City not in action until their Anfield showdown on Sunday, the stage was set for the Gunners to make it eight wins in a row and, for the time being at least, sit at the summit of the table.

Mikel Arteta’s side took the lead inside 20 minutes, as Declan Rice continued his strong season in front of goal by heading in from Ben White’s cross, and they threatened to take real control of the match. But that was swiftly forgotten about, as Aaron Ramsdale was thrust into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Handed a rare start due to David Raya being ineligible to face his former club, the goalkeeper too long on the ball deep into first-half stoppage-time, and his clearance was charge down into the net by Yoane Wissa.

The Gunners spent the second-half piling on the pressure in search of a goal to restore their lead, with Rice going closer than anyone else when firing a brilliant effort against the bar from 25 yards out. The tension grew, the likelihood of Arsenal dropping two points increasing by the minute, until Havertz stepped up with his second last-gasp winner against Brentford of the season. Again it was White who provided the cross, and Havertz found himself in space to power a header past Mark Flekken.

Arsenal vs Brentford latest news

• GOAL! Havertz with late header

• GOAL! Wissa charges down Ramsdale clearance

• GOAL! Rice heads Arsenal into first-half lead

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20:28 , Matt Verri

So much of the talk before this game was about Ivan Toney but, at the full-time whistle, it was Kai Havertz grabbing the headlines.

After a difficult start to his Arsenal career, Havertz is now flying and his goal here made it four in his last four League games.

It was a massive moment for the Gunners, who before then had been staring down the barrel of a frustrating draw.

Havertz had been guilty of missing a good chance in the first-half when played through by Jorginho, but he made amends at the death.

It was, fittingly, the type of goal you can imagine Toney scoring, with Havertz heading home after a cross from Ben White.

Read our full analysis here!

Player ratings

19:54 , Matt Verri

Declan Rice 8

Continued his fine scoring run with another goal here, directing his header home like a seasoned striker.

Bukayo Saka 6

Got down the flank and to the byline a few times, but the final ball just wasn’t quite there. Not often you say that about Saka.

Kai Havertz 7

Missed a great chance in the first-half - the flag went up for offside, however VAR may have overruled - but scored the winner late on. Arsenal’s hero, again.

Read our full Arsenal ratings here!

Havertz the hero!

19:38 , Matt Verri

How big could his prove to be at the end of the season?

FT: Arsenal 2-1 Brentford

19:32 , Matt Verri

The Gunners are top of the table!

Eight wins in a row, this the most nervy of them all.

Job done though, thanks to Kai Havertz’s late header.

Arsenal 2-1 Brentford

19:31 , Matt Verri

90+9 mins: Ramsdale into the book for time wasting.

On we go!

Arsenal on the break, Saka’s shot charged down.

Arsenal 2-1 Brentford

19:30 , Matt Verri

90+7 mins: We’ve played seven.

Arteta asking the fourth official why the whistle hasn’t gone. Still we play...

Arsenal 2-1 Brentford

19:28 , Matt Verri

90+5 mins: Partey on for the last few minutes, replacing Odegaard.

The captain’s armband is passed, very slowly, to Jesus.

Arsenal 2-1 Brentford

19:25 , Matt Verri

90+3 mins: Zinchenko under pressure from Maupay, but the whistle has gone.

Toney and Gabriel go head-to-head, Arsenal get a free-kick. It’s all getting very heated...

Arsenal 2-1 Brentford

19:23 , Matt Verri

90 mins: SEVEN minutes added on.

Arsenal free-kick, Odegaard swings it in. Gabriel screaming for a penalty - referee not interested.

Arsenal 2-1 Brentford

19:20 , Matt Verri

88 mins: Brentford suddenly going through the gears, they have to speed things up.

Their time-wasting means they may well get a fair chunk of added-time to find an equaliser.

Simon Collings at the Emirates

19:19 , Matt Verri

 The fans in front of the press box are a sea of limbs.

People grabbing onto whoever they can and hugging them.

GOAL! Arsenal 2-1 Brentford | Kai Havertz 86'

19:18 , Matt Verri

ARSENAL TAKE THE LEAD AGAIN!

Havertz with the header, Flekken can’t keep it out. HUGE goal.

Simon Collings at the Emirates

19:16 , Matt Verri

It will be interesting to see how much time is added on here...

Arsenal 1-1 Brentford

19:16 , Matt Verri

83 mins: White to the byline, cross drifts out of play as he tries to stand the ball up to the back post.

Could still be the best part of 15 minutes left for Arsenal to find a winner. There is time.

Arsenal 1-1 Brentford

19:13 , Matt Verri

81 mins: Brentford doing a good job of making this scrappy, plenty of stoppages.

Last couple of minutes has basically just been one throw-in after another.

Arsenal 1-1 Brentford

19:11 , Matt Verri

79 mins: And two more Arsenal changes.

Nelson on for Trossard, Zinchenko replaces Kiwior.

Arsenal 1-1 Brentford

19:10 , Matt Verri

78 mins: Wissa and Onyeka off for Brentford, Yarmuilouk and Maupay are on.

Arsenal not really in the mood for whatever Maupay has planned...

Arsenal 1-1 Brentford

19:09 , Matt Verri

77 mins: A constant stream of Arsenal set-pieces.

Into double figures now for corners. Brentford doing whatever they can to slow things down, Flekken the latest to go down. Could get plenty of stoppage-time.

Saka swings the latest corner in, Ajer with the header. Brentford continue to hold firm.

Arsenal 1-1 Brentford

19:06 , Matt Verri

74 mins: Jesus gets his first chance to run with the ball, goes straight at Ajer and wins a corner for the Gunners. Need to make one of these count.

Wissa’s header comes out to Odegaard. He lays it off to Rice, from 25 yards out... OFF THE BAR!

Inches away.

Arsenal 1-1 Brentford

19:03 , Matt Verri

71 mins: Brentford should probably be in front!

Ajer with a lovely ball in, Collins completely free and his header is tipped over by Ramsdale.

Tension levels rise even more inside the stadium...

Arsenal 1-1 Brentford

19:01 , Matt Verri

69 mins: Here is that Arsenal change.

Jorginho off, Jesus on. The Gunners have no choice but to go for it in these final 20 minutes.

Simon Collings at the Emirates

19:00 , Matt Verri

About 20 minutes to go, no changes yet from Arteta.

Feels like a game where some magic from Jesus could make the difference.

Arsenal 1-1 Brentford

18:59 , Matt Verri

67 mins: Kiwior getting forward well on the left for Arsenal.

He’s picked out again, cut back to Trossard but his tame effort is straight at Flekken.

Boos around the Emirates as Jorgensen calls for some treatment, Brentford kick the ball out.

Arsenal 1-1 Brentford

18:58 , Matt Verri

65 mins: And now Havertz goes down - Brentford players convinced it’s a dive.

He’s already on a yellow, they want him sent off for diving.

Collins stuck out a leg, but he didn’t really touch Havertz.

Arsenal 1-1 Brentford

18:55 , Matt Verri

63 mins: No penalty.

VAR has a look, but play is waved on. There was contact, clearly not enough though.

Arsenal 1-1 Brentford

18:55 , Matt Verri

62 mins: Odegaard clips a ball to the back post, Flekken opts to punch it away under no real pressure.

Trossard went down, screaming for a penalty. Was he pulled back by Roerslev?

Definitely has a case...

Arsenal 1-1 Brentford

18:52 , Matt Verri

60 mins: Guess what? An Arsenal corner.

Gabriel up again, ball falls for Rice in space at the back post... shot blocked!

This is relentless pressure.

Arsenal 1-1 Brentford

18:51 , Matt Verri

59 mins: Off the line!

Chaos in the middle, but Gabriel as ever rises highest and powers a header at goal.

Janelt gets a touch on the line, falls kindly into Flekken’s arms.

Arsenal 1-1 Brentford

18:50 , Matt Verri

58 mins: Kiwior in behind, squares it and Collins shanks a clearance behind. That could have gone anywhere.

From the corner, Gabriel and Collins clash. No penalty - yet another corner though.

Arsenal 1-1 Brentford

18:49 , Matt Verri

57 mins: It’s like the last ten minutes of a cup tie, so open and the fans desperately urging Arsenal on.

No need for the Gunners to panic. Yet...

Arsenal 1-1 Brentford

18:48 , Matt Verri

55 mins: Nearly stunning!

Toney is about 40 yards out, when he smacks an effort at goal with the outside of his left boot.

Ramsdale scrambles back and tips it behind!

Arsenal 1-1 Brentford

18:46 , Matt Verri

54 mins: This time Brentford get a free-kick from the corner.

Ajer got caught as Gabriel landed on his foot - home fans less than impressed.

Arsenal 1-1 Brentford

18:46 , Matt Verri

53 mins: False start, as White launches Janelt to the ground.

Saka’s ball in is not the best, and Brentford can clear it easily enough.

They should do anyway, but it’s a mess. Saliba of all people gets to the byline, wins a third corner in quick succession.

Arsenal 1-1 Brentford

18:44 , Matt Verri

52 mins: Arsenal’s turn to win a corner. Up come the defenders.

Rice swings it to the near post, Brentford can only clear it back to him. Comes to Odegaard, his ball in is turned behind for another corner.

Arsenal 1-1 Brentford

18:43 , Matt Verri

50 mins: Wissa’s shot is deflected wide, Brentford corner. They are turning this into a really uncomfortable night for the Gunners.

Bees players have put themselves right on Ramsdale near enough. Goalkeeper comes for it, flaps at it and Janelt’s shot is well over.

Arsenal 1-1 Brentford

18:40 , Matt Verri

48 mins: Arsenal straight on the front foot at the start of this half.

Trossard lays the ball back, Saka fires a shot over the bar. Odegaard calls for more noise from the stands.

Simon Collings at the Emirates

18:39 , Matt Verri

Huge 45 minutes coming up now in the title race. What have Arsenal got in them?

Back underway!

18:37 , Matt Verri

Arsenal with work to do in the second-half.

Moment to forget for Ramsdale

18:27 , Matt Verri

Almost inevitable, after all the attention on him being handed a rare start...

Simon Collings at the Emirates

18:23 , Matt Verri

As Ramsdale heads down the tunnel a few Arsenal subs run over to him.

Have to feel for him, there.

HT: Arsenal 1-1 Brentford

18:22 , Matt Verri

And that’s half-time.

Arsenal in complete control, until Wissa pounces on some indecision from Ramsdale.

Emirates almost silent.

GOAL! Arsenal 1-1 Brentford | Yoane Wissa 45+4'

18:20 , Matt Verri

RAMSDALE WITH A HOWLER!

Ball at his feet, takes too long to clear it and Wissa closes him, sliding in and he charges the clearance down. Ball flies into the net.

Arsenal 1-0 Brentford

18:18 , Matt Verri

45+2 mins: Ajer down now, as he challenges in the air with Havertz.

Referee gives the free-kick this time, and it’s a yellow card for Havertz. Adjudged to have elbowed the Brentford defender.

Arsenal 1-0 Brentford

18:16 , Matt Verri

45 mins: Three minutes added on.

Might be a bit more than that, after Wissa goes down holding his head as he collides with Saliba.

Arsenal 1-0 Brentford

18:14 , Matt Verri

43 mins: Home fans love it as Gabriel brings the ball out from defence, driving all the way into Brentford territory.

Overhits the pass through to Trossard, but the Belgian still manages to clip a ball into the middle.

Falls for Havertz on the volley, tough chance and he blazes it over the bar.

Arsenal 1-0 Brentford

18:12 , Matt Verri

41 mins: Trossard from distance, comfortable save for Flekken.

It’s been dominant from the Gunners since they took the lead, Brentford have found it really difficult to get anything going in attack.

Arsenal 1-0 Brentford

18:09 , Matt Verri

37 mins: Arsenal would love a second goal before half-time, they continue to push for it.

Rice drives forward, so powerful. Slides a pass wide to Saka, who goes on his right foot and flashes the ball over the bar.

Arsenal 1-0 Brentford

18:06 , Matt Verri

35 mins: Big chance... though the offside flag is up anyway.

Jorginho whips a glorious pass through to Havertz, who controls it with his first touch.

Flekken charging off his line, Havertz dinks it over the goalkeeper but the ball rolls wide.

Replays suggest he was probably onside.

Arsenal 1-0 Brentford

18:05 , Matt Verri

34 mins: Jorginho scoops the ball over the top, Havertz plays it across the face of goal and Brentford just about scramble it away. Jorgensen on the slide.

Bees are forced into a change, as Norgaard goes down. Looks to be holding his back. Jensen on in his place in midfield.

Arsenal 1-0 Brentford

18:04 , Matt Verri

33 mins: White again has space to put a ball into the box, three red shirts at the back post.

Doesn’t make it that far, Brentford charge down the cross this time.

Simon Collings at the Emirates

18:01 , Matt Verri

 Tough going for Toney so far.

Arsenal, when they can, are doubling up on him - with one defender in front and another behind.

Arsenal 1-0 Brentford

18:00 , Matt Verri

29 mins: Kiwior a bit too calm on the touchline, tries to flick it back to Gabriel and Wissa robs him.

Only Toney up in support, and he can’t control the ball as Wissa fires it into the middle.

Arsenal 1-0 Brentford

17:58 , Matt Verri

27 mins: Saka stands up a cross to the back post, nobody there for Arsenal but Roerslev nods it behind for a corner.

Rice with another good delivery, Gabriel wins the header but he can’t keep it down. Loops over the bar.

Arsenal 1-0 Brentford

17:55 , Matt Verri

24 mins: All Arsenal, pushing for a second goal.

Odegaard with great footwork, opts to lay it off to Havertz and he works space for the shot, firing straight at Flekken.

Arsenal 1-0 Brentford

17:52 , Matt Verri

21 mins: Jorgensen with an awful challenge, flies in late and cleans out Trossard.

Referee doesn’t need much thinking time to give that as a free-kick, yellow card swiftly follows.

Simon Collings at the Emirates

17:51 , Matt Verri

Rice said after he scored on Monday night that he was done with goals this season.

A brilliant header from the midfielder and just what Arsenal needed.

GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Brentford | Declan Rice 19'

17:50 , Matt Verri

THE GUNNERS LEAD!

That eases the pressure. White clips a cross in, Rice is there in the middle and his header finds the bottom corner.

Another goal for Rice.

Arsenal 0-0 Brentford

17:49 , Matt Verri

19 mins: Penalty appeals, as Odegaard goes down in the area.

There was maybe a slight shove, but didn’t look to be a huge amount of contract.

Arsenal 0-0 Brentford

17:49 , Matt Verri

18 mins: First shot of the match for Arsenal, as Havertz tries his luck from the edge of the area. Onyeka blocks.

No space at all there for the Gunners, Brentford with everyone back, near enough on the edge of their own box.

Arsenal 0-0 Brentford

17:47 , Matt Verri

16 mins: Corner for Brentford, Toney nods a header straight at Ramsdale.

It’s then a sensational throw from Ramsdale to set Trossard away, he looks to be clean through on goal.

Roerslev gets back really well though, slows him down and the chance goes.

Arsenal 0-0 Brentford

17:45 , Matt Verri

14 mins: Odegaard goes on his right foot for once, Brentford leaving him plenty of room as they assume he will cut inside.

Lifts a cross to the back post, ball bounces off Trossard and rolls behind for a goal-kick.

Simon Collings at the Emirates

17:43 , Matt Verri

So far, feels a bit like what Arsenal can expect on Tuesday from Porto.

Brentford cleverly winning fouls and slowing the game down when they can.

Arsenal 0-0 Brentford

17:43 , Matt Verri

11 mins: Brentford taking an age to take this, as Havertz and Toney take it in turns to shove each other in the middle.

Lewis-Potter eventually swings the ball in, straight out of play.

Arsenal 0-0 Brentford

17:41 , Matt Verri

10 mins: Wissa jumps into Gabriel, puts the Arsenal defender off on the edge of his own box.

Then goes down, was he pulled back? Referee takes a few seconds and then does blow the whistle.

Yellow card for Gabriel, free-kick Brentford in a great position.

Arsenal 0-0 Brentford

17:37 , Matt Verri

7 mins: Saka drifts all the way across the pitch, he’s picked out by Rice.

Gets to the byline, cuts the ball back but he can’t quite find Havertz. Arsenal have made yet another really good start.

Arsenal 0-0 Brentford

17:35 , Matt Verri

4 mins: We haven’t even played four minutes and Onyeka is shown a yellow card.

Trossard breaking away for the Gunners, until Onyeka comes flying in. Late, not a good challenge at all.

Arsenal 0-0 Brentford

17:34 , Matt Verri

3 mins: Almost 1-0!

It’s a brilliant ball in from Rice, Kiwior can’t quite get on the end of it though and it curls just wide of the far post. Just needed a touch.

Simon Collings at the Emirates

17:33 , Matt Verri

The fans behind Ramsdale's goal singing his name non-stop during the first few minutes.

Arsenal 0-0 Brentford

17:33 , Matt Verri

2 mins: Here we go again, Arsenal straight on the front foot.

Saka skips into the box, flashes a ball across the face of goal. Trossard is briefly free, poor touch though and Brentford can scramble it behind. Corner.

KICK-OFF!

17:31 , Matt Verri

Up and running at the Emirates!

Physical battle ahead...

17:30 , Matt Verri

Going to be a crucial tussle between Toney and the Arsenal centre-backs this evening...

Here we go!

17:26 , Matt Verri

Teams are in the tunnel in north London.

Another huge match for Arsenal - they all are between now and the end of the season.

Simon Collings at the Emirates

17:23 , Matt Verri

Arsenal making a big effort with the atmosphere here pre kick-off, just as they did for Newcastle at home a few weeks ago.

Fans behind both goals armed with plenty of flags.

Simon Collings at the Emirates

17:18 , Matt Verri

Arsenal finish their warm-up with Bukayo Saka picking up the club's award for February's Player of the Month.

He's flying at the moment, and has scored or assisted in each of his last six League games.

Not long now!

17:15 , Matt Verri

Warm-ups almost done at the Emirates.

Kick-off just under 15 minutes away now...

Last season...

17:10 , Matt Verri

Brentford held Arsenal to a draw in north London last season, a hugely frustrating result for the Gunners.

Their mood wasn’t helped when it was confirmed that VAR had made a mistake for Brentford’s goal, which should have been ruled out.

Relegation battle heating up

17:02 , Matt Verri

Brentford are only five points clear of the relegation zone heading into this match.

Sheffield United and Burnley look almost certain to go down, but that final relegation spot is in the balance.

Luton there for now, but Nottingham Forest, Everton and Brentford will all be nervous.

Arteta: Ramsdale deserves England place

16:55 , Matt Verri

Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has enough credit in the bank to keep his place in the England squad.

Ramsdale has lost his place as the Gunners No1 this season after the club signed David Raya on loan from Brentford last summer.

This is Ramsdale’s first Premier League appearance since November and the 25-year-old has previously spoken about fears he could lose his place in the England squad ahead of this summer’s European Championship.

But Arteta said: “I don’t know how Gareth [Southgate] is thinking, but if I put that situation into my eyes and my perspective and how I make a decision, I would judge Aaron not for what he has done in one day but what he has done in the last two or three seasons and the consistency he has shown, the quality he has shown.

“It would give me no reason to make another decision.”

Reguilon misses out

16:48 , Matt Verri

Sure Sergio Reguilon, the man on loan from Tottenham, would have got a lovely reception from the Arsenal fans...

We will never know - the left-back has been ruled out with a minor hamstring issue.

Keane Lewis-Potter in to replace him.

Simon Collings at the Emirates

16:43 , Matt Verri

Essential for Ramsdale that he puts in a confident performance this evening...

No Martinelli for Arsenal

16:37 , Matt Verri

Two changes for the Gunners.

As expected, Ramsdale starts in goal, with Raya ineligible against his parent club.

Martinelli has not recovered from the foot issue he picked up against Sheffield United and misses out on the squad. Trossard starts in his place.

Zinchenko back in the squad and on the bench.

Brentford team news

16:33 , Matt Verri

Starting XI: Flekken, Jorgensen, Ajer, Collins, Roerslev, Onyeka, Norgaard, Janelt, Lewis-Potter, Toney, Wissa

Subs: Maupay, Jensen, Ghoddos, Strakosha, Damsgaard, Baptiste, Yarmolyuk, Kim, Arthur

Arsenal team news

16:31 , Matt Verri

Starting XI: Ramsdale, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior, Jorginho, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Trossard, Havertz

Subs: Hein, Cedric, Zinchenko, Partey, Vieira, Smith Rowe, Nelson, Nketiah, Jesus

Stand by!

16:26 , Matt Verri

All the team news from north London coming up in the next few minutes.

Sounds like there is a change to the Arsenal side that beat Sheffield United...

Mood has changed in north London!

16:19 , Matt Verri

A few months ago, Arsenal’s clash with Brentford on Saturday would have been viewed as Ivan Toney’s big audition.

The Brentford striker has made no secret of his desire to secure a move this summer and, on more than one occasion, he has publicly fluttered his eyelashes at Arsenal.

“I’ve been a Liverpool fan my whole life,” Toney told the Diary of a CEO podcast in August last year.

“But from young, I’ve liked Arsenal. I’ve liked watching Arsenal and how they play and how passionate their fans are.”

The Gunners’ goalscoring woes around the turn of the year added fuel to the fire regarding a move for Toney.

During three defeats on the spin Arsenal scored one goal from 61 shots, prompting club legend Ian Wright to post on social media: “We need a killer”.

The mood music at Emirates Stadium has changed since then and Arsenal go into Saturday’s game with Brentford in red-hot form.

Read our full preview here!

Simon Collings at the Emirates

16:12 , Matt Verri

Aaron Ramsdale has thanked Arsenal fans for their support during an interview in today's programme.

He says: "It could have been easy going through the season thinking you are forgotten about, but it's been special during a difficult time, with how much love they've shown."

Frank: Arsenal are performing at their maximum

16:05 , Matt Verri

Thomas Frank has been full of praise for Arsenal in the build-up to this match, believing the Gunners are now at very top form.

“Form-wise, momentum, they are right up there,” Frank said. “Arsenal, Liverpool and [Manchester] City are ahead of the rest.

“Right now, maybe Arsenal are performing to the absolute maximum. But we trust ourselves, we believe in ourselves, and we know what we are about and what we can do.

“But of course, they deserve a lot of praise. Arteta, his coaching staff and players have clearly improved from last season.

“They managed to have an okay first part of the season, but they look so much stronger now. I know we are not in the run-in, but they look so strong coming into it. They look very, very strong. The job they have done together is very impressive.”

Summer move for a striker?

15:57 , Matt Verri

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal’s recent goal rush will not change their summer transfer plans.

The Gunners have been heavily linked with a signing a new No9 and have scouted several players, including Brentford’s Ivan Toney, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP.

Talk of a new striker intensified in January as Arsenal struggled for firepower on a run of just one goal in three straight defeats around the turn of the year.

Since then, however, the Gunners have been in red-hot form and have scored 31 goals while winning seven Premier League games on the spin.

But, asked if Arsenal still want to sign a striker this summer even with their current form, Arteta said: “The plans that we have for the summer are very clear.

“They were done almost at the start of the season understanding what we can have, the contract situations with some players, and how we can improve certain areas of the team. This situation doesn’t change that.”

Huge afternoon!

15:49 , Matt Verri

Arsenal will go top of the Premier League if they beat Brentford.

Remains to be seen how long that is for. Victory would move them a point ahead of Liverpool and two clear of Manchester City, before the Gunners’ title rivals meet at Anfield tomorrow.

Only ten matches to go after this weekend’s fixtures...

Ramsdale future yet to be decided

15:41 , Matt Verri

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says the club are yet to hold talks with Aaron Ramsdale over his future.

Ramsdale has lost his spot as Arsenal’s No1 this season after David Raya joined on loan from Brentford last summer.

The England goalkeeper, however, is due to start this evening as Raya is ineligible to face his parent club.

It will be Ramsdale’s first Premier League appearance since November, when Arsenal travelled to west London and Raya was again ineligible, and he is expected to leave the club this summer.

But there have been no talks over Ramsdale’s future yet, with Arteta insisting everyone is focused on Arsenal’s fight for the Champions League and Premier League.

“Now is the season, now is tomorrow, now is what we have done today and how can we improve tomorrow,” Arteta said. “And those talks are for much after, I think.”

Stage is set!

15:33 , Matt Verri

Perfect afternoon in north London...

Standard Sport prediction

15:27 , Matt Verri

The Gunners are on a roll right now, swatting aside all before them.

It would be a major surprise to see them slip-up at home, against a Brentford side who are really struggling at the back.

Arsenal to win, 3-0.

Brentford team news

15:22 , Matt Verri

The Bees remain without a host of players.

All of Bryan Mbeumo, Ethan Pinnock, Kevin Schade, Aaron Hickey, Ben Mee, Rico Henry and Josh Dasilva are unavailable.

Ivan Toney will start, though, against a club he continues to be linked with.

Arsenal team news

15:13 , Matt Verri

Mikel Arteta says he is “pretty positive” both Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli will be available for Arsenal.

The pair were both forced off early during Monday’s thumping 6-0 win at Sheffield United.

Saka came off at half-time due to illness, while Martinelli was substituted midway through the second-half due to a cut on his foot.

But, on Thursday, Arteta told reporters: “We’re pretty positive that hopefully they can be part of [the squad]. But we’ll have to see how they feel tomorrow.”

Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu both missed the win at Bramall Lane due to calf injuries, but are close to comebacks.

David Raya will sit out the match due to being ineligible to face his parent club, allowing Aaron Ramsdale a chance to start in goal.

Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli

How to watch Arsenal vs Brentford

15:05 , Matt Verri

TV channel: The game will be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra HDR. Coverage starts at 5pm GMT ahead of a 5.30pm kick-off.

Live stream: Subscribers will be able to watch on a live stream via the Sky Go app.

Live blog: Follow all the action right here with us! Simon Collings will be providing expert analysis from the ground.

Good afternoon!

14:59 , Matt Verri

Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Arsenal vs Brentford!

Big afternoon coming up for the Gunners, who will go top of the Premier League, for now, if they can make it eight wins on the bounce.

We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news ahead of kick-off, which comes at 5:30pm GMT from the Emirates Stadium.