We already have one certain, confirmed absence for the London derby on Saturday- Arsenal No. 1 goalkeeper David Raya. For now, he’s still technically a Brentford FC player, and loanees are ineligible to face their parent clubs.
Although famed former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger spoke out against this rule, the FA never changed it.
Brentford at Arsenal FC FYIs
Kick: Sat. March. 9, 3pm local, Emirates Stadium, London, UK
Arsenal Preview Content: Team News Starting XI Prediction Injury Updates
Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK
Result Probability: Brentford 6% Arsenal 83% Draw 11%
Premier League Form Guide: Brentford DLLLW Arsenal WWWWW
Raya is expected to make the switch permanent in the summer, with the North London club likely set to send Brentford £27 million the other way in exchange for him.
Arsenal Team News
Meanwhile Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka were both subbed off in the 6-0 UTTER DESTRUCTION of Sheffield United on Monday night due to fitness issues.
Both are not considered to be serious concerns though. Place them in the doubt category. Elsewhere Thomas Partey played for the first time in four months last time out, and you can expect a larger role for him against the Bees.
Finally, Takehiro Tomiyasu is expected to be back and available here.
Shifting gears to the Bees, and their BEE-lievers, a substantial number of players will be missing here, including the likes of Bryan Mbeumo, Ethan Pinnock, Kevin Schade, Aaron Hickey, Ben Mee, Rico Henry and Josh Dasilva.
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to Ravens Wire, part of the USA Today SMG’s NFL Wire Network. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated, Chicago Tribune and the Washington Times. You can follow him on Twitter.