The first Premier League game of 2025 promises to be a fascinating affair, as London rivals Brentford and Arsenal collide at the Gtech Community Stadium on New Year's Day.
The Gunners concluded 2024 by beating Ipswich Town 1-0 on December 27, the same evening that the Bees left Brighton & Hove Albion's base with a point from a 0-0 draw, and here Sports Mole rounds up the team news for both clubs.
BRENTFORD vs. ARSENAL
© Imago
BRENTFORD
Out: Ben Mee (muscle), Igor Thiago (knee), Gustavo Nunes (back), Rico Henry (knee), Aaron Hickey (thigh), Josh Dasilva (knee), Kristoffer Ajer (ankle), Ethan Pinnock (thigh)
Doubtful: Mark Flekken (unspecified), Sepp van den Berg (groin), Mathias Jensen (thigh)
Sports Mole's predicted XI: Flekken; Roerslev, Collins, Van den Berg, Lewis-Potter; Janelt, Norgaard; Mbeumo, Damsgaard, Schade; Wissa
ARSENAL
Out: Bukayo Saka (hamstring), Raheem Sterling (knee), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee), Ben White (knee)
Doubtful: None
Sports Mole's predicted XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Martinelli, Havertz, Trossard
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ben Knapton
