Brentford boss Thomas Frank has hailed Arsenal as the "best set-piece team" in world football ahead of their New Year’s Day clash.

The Gunners, led by Mikel Arteta, have been prolific from dead-ball situations, scoring 10 out of their 35 Premier League goals this season from such scenarios, adding to last season's impressive tally of 22. Frank praised his former set-piece coach Nicolas Jover for Arsenal's success but remains confident in his team's ability to handle the challenge.

"Arsenal is the best set-piece team not only in the Premier League but in the world right now," said Frank in a press conference. They are so aggressive and they are well-coached – but we are also good at set-pieces and we will be ready."

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“We are good at defending corners. As far as I know, we have only conceded from one corner so far – which was a short corner against Bournemouth (a 3-2 win on November 9) – in the Premier League this season. We defend very well so we trust our own processes but, of course, with huge respect to Arsenal and what they can come with. We know we need to play our A game; not just in set-pieces but with every aspect of the game.”

Arsenal finished just two points behind champions Manchester City last season. Yet, despite only two defeats in 18 league fixtures this campaign, the title hopefuls are already nine points adrift of table-topping Liverpool.

Amid the relentless form of Arne Slot’s runaway leaders, the much-publicised struggles of City and Manchester United and Chelsea’s unexpected progress under Enzo Maresca, Frank feels the third-placed Gunners have gone slightly unnoticed. “We’re facing a very good Arsenal team,” he said.

“In a way, I think they’ve gone under the radar because there is so much talk about Manchester City and Manchester United – and Liverpool, of course, because they are doing fantastically. Also Chelsea, who are maybe doing better than people expected.

“They have performed consistently well, Arsenal. They look so competitive in every area. They defend well, they attack well, they’re fantastic on set-pieces; it’s going to be a tough test.”