Arsenal’s predicted lineup for their Champions League visit to Club Brugge remains clouded by injuries, illness, and mounting workload management. Mikel Arteta heads into the 8pm GMT showdown in Belgium needing to balance competitive ambition with player fitness, particularly amid a squad stretched to its limits.

Arsenal have beaten Brentford 2-0 in the Premier League, extending their lead atop the table to five points over Manchester City. Mikel Merino headed the hosts into the lead in the 11th minute, scoring for the second time in four days. The lead remained 1-0 until second-half stoppage time, when Bukayo Saka scored to put the game to bed.

At the weekend, Chelsea’s goal was allowed to stand even though it appeared that Enzo Fernandez had impeded the Arsenal goalkeeper while standing in an offside position. In comparison, an earlier goal scored by Virgil van Dijk in a match between Liverpool and Manchester City was disallowed because Andy Robertson had been in an offside position and was judged to have obstructed the goalkeeper’s view.

Arsenal made it six wins from six in this season’s Champions League with a comfortable victory over Club Brugge on Wednesday night. Noni Madueke was the hero for the Gunners, following up his goal in the 3-1 win over Bayern Munich a fortnight ago with a brace, while Gabriel Martinelli kept up his remarkable goalscoring record in the competition.

ARSENAL officials were delighted with the reaction from fans to the tifo which was unfurled before Sunday’s 4-1 win over Tottenham at the Emirates. And SunSport understands the club is certain to

Aston Villa is the form team in the Premier League and on Saturday presents the latest test to Arsenal’s title credentials.