Brentford head coach Keith Andrews provided a squad update ahead of the Bees’ meeting with Premier League leaders Arsenal at Gtech Community Stadium on Thursday (8pm kick-off GMT, live on TNT Sports). The west Londoners go into the match following back-to-back away victories over Aston Villa and Newcastle United, while Mikel Arteta’s side have won their last four fixtures in all competitions.
Forward Kevin Schade will serve the second game of his three-match suspension having been shown a straight red card in Brentford’s 1-0 win at Villa Park, while loanee Reiss Nelson cannot play against his parent club.
Josh Dasilva (knee ligament) remains sidelined, while Fábio Carvalho and Antoni Milambo will both miss the rest of the campaign due to ACL injuries.
“It was a very intense game,” Andrews began. “It always is when you play Newcastle, and the players were excellent on that front.
“We have the usual knocks and bruises, but nothing major that concerns anything for the selection for tomorrow.”
Dango Ouattara underlined his knack for the big occasion in last weekend’s 3-2 win at Newcastle.
The Burkina Faso international followed up his match-winning effort against Aston Villa with the Bees’ late decider against the Magpies.
“He’s in good form,” Andrews responded when asked about Ouattara’s importance to his side.
“He’s been brilliant. It’s been a tad disjointed. The nature of him moving club, the season had already started when he signed. I love working with him. He’s quiet by nature. His ceiling is high.
“His approach to what we do and how we go about it is very selfless, which is an important part of what we ask from the players on certain occasions. He defends selflessly and the quality he has is in no doubt.”