Brentford – Arsenal

Brentford play their first-ever Premier League game at home to Arsenal in the opening game of the new 2021/22 sason. Brentford will take another look at striker Ivan Toney ahead of the Arsenal game as the former Newcastle front-man picked up a slight knock in pre-season but is expected to start against the Gunners. Joshua Dasilva will miss the game though and isn’t expected back anytime soon, unfortunately. The Bees ended pre-season with a 2-1 win over Valencia and will be confident that they can cause an upset against Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta’s side will be without Thomas Partey and Edward Nketiah.  Pre-season friendlies don’t always mean much but Arsenal’s failure to beat Hibs, Rangers, Chelsea or Tottenham suggests that they might not quite be up to speed ahead of what is bound to be a tricky first game of the season.

Brentford impressed during pre-season, picking up four wins, a draw, and just one defeat, while Arsenal failed to win any of their friendlies, losing three times and drawing once. Our prediction for the first London derby is for a draw.