{"id":420330,"date":"2025-12-02T21:16:21","date_gmt":"2025-12-02T21:16:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/420330\/"},"modified":"2025-12-02T21:16:21","modified_gmt":"2025-12-02T21:16:21","slug":"madueke-starts-odegaard-joins-eze-in-midfield-gyokeres-decision-arsenal-line-ups-vs-brentford","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/420330\/","title":{"rendered":"Madueke starts, Odegaard joins Eze in midfield, Gyokeres decision &#8211; Arsenal line-ups vs Brentford"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Mikel Arteta has some tough decisions to make regarding his Arsenal line-up for the clash against Brentford &#8211; as football.london&#8217;s writers have their say on who should start at the Emirates Stadium<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_Noni-Madueke-Eberechi-Eze-and-Arsenal.jpg\" alt=\"Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze are both in contention for Arsenal to face Brentford\" loading=\"eager\"  \/>Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze are both in contention for Arsenal to face Brentford(Image: Alex Burstow\/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"footballlondon\">Arsenal take on Brentford at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League looking to recover their form following a draw at Chelsea. The Gunners have not lost in 17 games and have won all bar one of their home matches this season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"footballlondon\">Mikel Arteta has several choices to make; however, knowing the festive schedule is already starting in an unforgiving way with a lunchtime trip on Saturday to Aston Villa following this match. In which case, rotation might be the word of the week.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"footballlondon\">Below, <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">football.london&#8217;s<\/strong> writers have their say on the side that Arteta should name to face Brentford.<\/p>\n<p>Tom Canton<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"footballlondon\">I would try to rest the key players in the squad as much as possible before the trip to Aston Villa, less than 72 hours later, if I could. Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber for the most vitally in need of a rest.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"footballlondon\">What makes this easier is to have players as good as Ben White, Noni Madueke and Martin Odegaard who can come into the team. The midfield pairing of Eberechi Eze and Odegaard is something we have seen before, but not with Zubimendi at the foundation, who came off earlier in the second half against Chelsea.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"footballlondon\">I think Riccardo Calafiori should still start with the long throw of Brentford, making me concerned about Myles Lewis-Skelly&#8217;s capacity to defend them. That said, the yellow card suspension worry is something I am rather concerned about and he needs to be careful.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"footballlondon\">Viktor Gyokeres coming back into the line-up&#8230; his season starts now! It is time for him to hit the ground running and build up some form!<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"footballlondon\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Canton\u2019s Arsenal XI vs Brentford \u2013 Raya; White, Mosquera, Hincapie, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Odegaard, Eze, Madueke, Gyokeres, Martinelli<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Ryan Taylor<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"footballlondon\">This could be the perfect chance for Mikel Arteta to shuffle his pack.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"footballlondon\">But make no mistake, Brentford are no rollovers, and this will not be a straightforward evening&#8217;s work.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"footballlondon\">David Raya should start in goal, and then perhaps Jurrien Timber can finally get some rest, with Ben White coming in for the Dutchman.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"footballlondon\">Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera will keep their place at centre-back, and Riccardo Calafiori should start at right-back, given he was rested against Bayern Munich.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"footballlondon\">In midfield, no need for wholesale changes, but maybe it&#8217;s time for a small refresh with captain Martin Odegaard coming in to partner Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"footballlondon\">Then on the right, Bukayo Saka starts, Noni Madueke features from the left with Viktor Gyokeres back through the middle &#8211; providing he&#8217;s ready to play.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"footballlondon\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Taylor&#8217;s Arsenal XI vs Brentford: Raya; White, Mosquera, Hincapie, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Madueke, Gyokeres.<\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"\/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_SEEING-RED-ART-1.jpg\" alt=\"\"  \/>Welcome to &#8216;Seeing Red&#8217; &#8211; our new Arsenal podcast<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">We&#8217;ve launched a new Arsenal podcast &#8216;Seeing Red&#8217; with chief football writer John Cross and Arsenal reporter Tom Canton.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Each week, they will dive deep into the biggest topics as they follow Mikel Arteta&#8217;s side every step of the way &#8211; and will also discuss nostalgic flashbacks before each fixture.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">It&#8217;s a great time to be an Arsenal fan, with the Gunners flying high under Arteta as they look to win silverware this season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The North Londoners are going strong in the Premier League and Champions League &#8211; and they&#8217;re also in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">We&#8217;ll provide insight and reaction &#8211; and have fun along the way &#8211; as Arsenal target the biggest trophies this season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">No stone will be left unturned. VAR controversy? Poor performances? Unsung hero who deserves praise? Fixture chaos? We&#8217;ll have it all covered.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@SeeingRedArsenal\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Click here to view our YouTube channelLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Click here to view our YouTube channel<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/pod.link\/1652497071\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Click here to download our podcastsLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Click here to download our podcasts<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Mikel Arteta has some tough decisions to make regarding his Arsenal line-up for the clash against Brentford &#8211;&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":420331,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[45],"tags":[196527,120587,13721,221,62,67,132,68],"class_list":{"0":"post-420330","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-soccer","8":"tag-arsenal-vs-brentford","9":"tag-david-raya","10":"tag-mikel-arteta","11":"tag-soccer","12":"tag-sports","13":"tag-united-states","14":"tag-unitedstates","15":"tag-us"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/115652054273582706","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/420330","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=420330"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/420330\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/420331"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=420330"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=420330"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=420330"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}