Arsenal host Brentford in midweek Premier League action tonight with William Saliba a doubt for the Gunners.

The France international picked up a knock in training ahead of Sunday’s showdown with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, missing the bad-tempered 1-1 draw.

With Gabriel Magalhaes already out with a thigh injury, Mikel Arteta named Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie at the heart of his defence.

The Gunners boss may have to rely on that pairing again against Brentford When speaking at a pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Arteta did not rule out Saliba but believes it will be a ‘matter of days’ before he shakes off the minor injury that kept him out at the weekend.

Gabriel meanwhile is not expected to return until late December.

Arsenal do have Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber available to play at centre-half with Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ben White ready to provide cover at left-back and right-back respectively.

Elsewhere, Leandro Trossard remains a doubt after also missing the draw at Chelsea. The Belgium international was forced in the first-half against Bayern Munich last week but his injury is not a serious one.

Viktor Gyokeres returned to action after a four-game absence on Sunday and will be hopeful oy reclaiming his place in the side ahead of Mikel Merino who has deputised admirably in his place.

But the fitness of Arsenal’s other forward option in Kai Havertz remains a mystery. The Germany international has not featured since the opening weekend of the season, undergoing what the club described as ‘minor’ knee surgery in August.

Arteta suggested he could be available again after the November international break for the north London derby with Chelsea last weekend mentioned as another possible return date.

But Havertz is still ‘weeks away’ from a return, according to Arteta.

Elsewhere, the Arsenal boss has welcomed Martin Odegaard, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli back from injury in recent weeks and has ample opportunity to rotate his squad tonight.

Arsenal XI to face Brentford – Metro prediction

Odegaard will be hoping to come into the starting XI today with Eberechi Eze getting through plenty of minutes since the end of the November international break.

Should things go to plan against the Bees, Arteta may also be eager to give Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka a lighter evening with a difficult trip to in-form Aston Villa looming on Saturday.

Arsenal vs Brentford TV channel and live stream

Arsenal vs Brentford kicks off at 7:30pm on Wednesday 3 December.

You can watch the match live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event with streaming also available through the Sky Go app and NOW TV for subscribers.

You can also follow all the action with Metro’s LIVE matchday blog.

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