Kieran Tierney to Kick Off Against Brentford as Arsenal Makes Key Changes

Kieran Tierney returns to the starting lineup for Saturday evening’s clash against Brentford at the Emirates Stadium, marking one of five adjustments to the team that triumphed over Real Madrid on Tuesday.

Tierney is making his first league start since May 2023, and shares the pitch alongside Oleksandr Zinchenko, Leandro Trossard, Jorginho, and Ethan Nwaneri. Missing from the midweek lineup are Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Jurrien Timber, Mikel Merino, and Myles Lewis-Skelly, who will start on the bench. Declan Rice, who scored twice midweek, retains his place, with Jorginho stepping in as captain of the midfield.

Leandro Trossard steps in to replace Merino upfront, having scored in last week’s 1-1 league draw with Everton. Ben White is absent from the squad entirely, although Jack Henry-Francis, a 21-year-old midfielder who spent part of the season on loan with Sligo Rovers, finds a spot on the bench.

Mikel Arteta commented, “We faced some challenges after our midweek game. Ben White experienced some discomfort following training, which prevents him from being in the squad. Our options are further limited with Jurrien not ready to start either. Several players had substantial playing time, and others deserve the opportunity to contribute.”

Brentford enters the game following a scoreless draw against Chelsea, with manager Thomas Frank making a solitary change: Vitaly Janelt replacing Yehor Yarmoliuk in midfield.

LINE-UPS

Arsenal: Raya, Partey, Saliba, Kiwior, Tierney, Jorginho, Rice, Zinchenko, Nwaneri, Martinelli, Trossard.
Subs: Neto, Timber, Lewis-Skelly, Henry-Francis, Odegaard, Saka, Sterling, Butler-Oyedeji, Merino.

Brentford: Flekken, van den Berg, Ajer, Collins, Lewis-Potter, Norgaard, Schade, Janelt, Mbeumo, Damsgaard, Wissa.
Subs: Valdimarsson, Henry, Pinnock, Jensen, Mee, Yarmoliuk, Konak, Kayode, Nunes.