How Arsenal could line up against Brentford

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Takehiro Tomiyasu could feature in Saturday's Premier League encounter with Brentford at the Emirates Stadium.

The 23-year-old missed the last two games due to a minor calf injury, but the Japan international has since returned to training and may be fit to start at right-back at the expense of Cedric.

Bernd Leno, meanwhile, missed last weekend's 1-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers after testing positive for coronavirus, but the goalkeeper is available to make the matchday squad on Saturday.

Arteta will be without suspended forward Gabriel Martinelli, who received two bizarre bookings within the space of a few seconds against Wolves.

Martinelli's absence will likely pave the way for Emile Smith Rowe to start just his second league game for the Gunners since early December, though Nicolas Pepe will also be in contention.

Gabriel Magalhaes – who scored the winner against Wolves last time out – and Ben White are expected to continue at centre-back, shielding first-choice stopper Aaron Ramsdale, with Kieran Tierney operating at left-back.

In midfield, Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey will likely retain their places ahead of Albert Sambi Lokonga and Mohamed Elneny, while Bukayo Saka on the right flank and Martin Odegaard in the number 10 role are set to support central striker Alexandre Lacazette in attack.

Arsenal possible starting lineup: Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Odegaard, Smith Rowe; Lacazette