David Raya kept Arsenal from conceding an opener at Brentford with an exceptional save in the Premier League on Thursday.
Spain goalkeeper Raya gifted the Bees an attack with a misjudged attempted pass to Declan Rice, only to redeem himself in spectacular fashion by plunging to his left to tip away Igor Thiago’s close-range header from Mathias Jensen’s left-wing cross.
David Raya with an incredible save to deny Brentford an opener 😲@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/yimW3Hdn0A
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 12, 2026
“What a save,” former Leeds United forward Lucy Ward told TNT Sports. “Thiago can’t quite believe it. It’s the chaos Brentford thrive upon – although Arsenal didn’t make it easy on themselves, with Raya giving the ball away.
“It’s a terrific header but we’ve seen the athleticism of Raya plenty of times. The reaction from Raya was brilliant.”
You can also follow live text updates from the Premier League match here.
How many clean sheets does David Raya have this season?
With 13 clean sheets in 25 league matches before the Gunners’ trip to the Bees, Raya had the most shut-outs of any goalkeeper in this season’s top flight.
Manchester City’s Gianluigi Donnarumma has 10 from 23 league matches, matched by Chelsea’s Robert Sanchez, who has played in 25.
Arsenal started Thursday with by far the best defensive record in the division, conceding only 17 times in 26 games.
Second-placed City’s tally of 24 goals shipped was the second-best total, followed by third-placed Aston Villa, on 27.
Premier League table: What happens if Arsenal don’t beat Brentford?
Should Arsenal draw, Mikel Arteta’s side will be four points clear of City and seven above Villa with 12 league games remaining for each team.
That means victory would put them six points clear of the Cityzens, although the prolific Thiago’s attempt showed that Brentford have designs of their own on securing maximum points.
Brentford started the evening in seventh and would move four points clear of eighth-placed Everton with a draw.
A two-goal win would guarantee Keith Andrews’ side sixth place above Liverpool. Curiously, a 2-1 victory would put them level with the reigning champions on points, goal difference, goals scored and goals conceded.
Brentford confirmed starting team vs Arsenal
Brentford made one change from their 3-2 win at Newcastle on Saturday, bringing in Yehor Yarmoliuk for Jordan Henderson in midfield.
Forward Kevin Schade was suspended and Reiss Nelson was ineligible to play against his parent club, so Luka Bentt replaced the winger on the bench.
Midfielders Fabio Carvalho, Antoni Milambo and Josh Dasilva had long-term injuries.
Brentford starting XI: Caoimhin Kelleher, Michael Kayode, Kristoffer Ajer, Sepp van den Berg, Rico Henry, Dango Ouattara, Yehor Yarmoliuk, Mathias Jensen, Vitaly Janelt, Keane Lewis-Potter, Igor Thiago
Brentford substitutes: Hakon Valdimarsson, Aaron Hickey, Ethan Pinnock, Jordan Henderson, Nathan Collins, Mikkel Damsgaard, Romelle Donovan, Kaye Furo, Luka Bentt
“The biggest dream of my life is to wear my national team jersey” 🇧🇷
Brentford’s Igor Thiago discusses his 2026 World Cup ambitions 🙌 pic.twitter.com/Zp3LGw6KE2
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 12, 2026
Arsenal confirmed starting team vs Brentford
Winger Bukayo Saka and midfielder Martin Odegaard returned on the bench for Arsenal following injuries, having missed the home wins over Chelsea and Sunderland last week.
Centre-back William Saliba was not involved at all as the hosts made four changes from their 3-0 victory against the Black Cats on Saturday.
Cristhian Mosquera replaced Saliba and Piero Hincapie came in for full-back Riccardo Calafiori. In attack, Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres supplanted Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.
Midfielder or forward Mikel Merino was recovering from foot surgery and winger Max Dowman was out with an ankle issue.
Arsenal starting XI: David Raya, Jurrien Timber, Cristhian Mosquera, Gabriel Magalhaes, Piero Hincapie, Eberechi Eze, Martín Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyokeres, Leandro Trossard
Arsenal substitutes: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Ben White, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Christian Norgaard, Riccardo Calafiori, Myles Lewis-Skelly
How to watch Brentford vs Arsenal: TV channel, live online stream
Kick-off on Thursday was at 20:00 GMT (15:00 ET / 12:00 PT), with live TV coverage in the UK on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate.
TNT Sports costs £29.99 a month through Discovery Plus, which includes Eurosport and entertainment and is available on a vast range of devices including smart TVs and gaming consoles.
Brentford vs Arsenal stats
- Brentford’s 2-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in their last home league game ended a seven-match unbeaten run at the Gtech Stadium
- Since the start of last season, they’ve only lost consecutive home league games twice, the first time of which was a 2-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest followed by a loss to Arsenal
- Their first-ever Premier League victory came against Arsenal, in their first game in the competition in August 2021
- Since then, they’re winless in their last eight against the Gunners (D2 L6)
- One of their last 11 home London derbies in the Premier League has resulted in victory (D6 L4), going winless in seven since a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace in August 2024
- Igor Thiago has nine goals in his last 10 Premier League home games, netting four braces along the way. Only Erling Haaland (5) has scored multiple goals in more different home matches this season
- This is Brentford’s fourth Premier League game ever on a Thursday – they lost 2-0 at Tottenham in December 2021, beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 in May 2025 and drew 0-0 with Spurs last month
- Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has won 41 of his 67 Premier League London derbies as manager, which is the best win rate (61%) of anyone to take charge of at least 20
- Overall, only Arsene Wenger (106 from 194 games) and Jose Mourinho (42/70) have won more London derbies than the Spaniard
- One of their last 23 Premier League London derbies has resulted in defeat (W17 D5)
- Since the start of 2022/23, they’ve lost one of their 20 away games against London sides (W14 D5)
- Although Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 12 Premier League games on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays (W9 D3), they’re without a win or a goal (D1 L2) in any of their last three on Thursdays
- Arteta’s side have won their last three trips to Brentford by an aggregate score of 7-1
- Bukayo Saka has been involved in 35 goals in 63 Premier League London derbies (17 goals, 18 assists), which is the third-most of any Arsenal player after Thierry Henry (55) and Dennis Bergkamp (38)
What’s next for these teams? Brentford, Arsenal fixtures
Brentford visit non-league Macclesfield in the FA Cup fourth round on Monday (19:30), a day after Arsenal host third-tier strugglers Wigan Athletic (16:30) at the same stage of the competition.