David Raya produced an extraordinary save to prevent Arsenal from conceding the opener at Brentford in the Premier League on Thursday.

Spain goalkeeper Raya gifted the Bees an attack with a mistimed pass to Declan Rice, only to redeem himself in spectacular fashion by diving to his left to turn away Igor Thiago’s close-range header from Matthias Jensen’s left cross.

David Raya pulled off an incredible save to deny Brentford the opener 😲@tntsports And @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. That’s the chaos that thrives at Brentford – although Arsenal couldn’t make it easy on themselves, Raya cleared the ball away.

“It’s a terrific header but we’ve seen Rye’s athleticism many times. Rye’s reaction was brilliant.”

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How many clean sheets does David Raya have this season?

Rye had the most shut-outs of any goalkeeper in the top flight this season, with 13 clean sheets in 25 league matches ahead of the Gunners’ trip to the Bees.

Manchester City’s Gianluigi Donnarumma has 10 from 23 league appearances, matching Chelsea’s Robert Sanchez, who has played 25.

Arsenal started Thursday with the best defensive record in the division so far, conceding just 17 times in 26 games.

Second-placed City’s 24 goals conceded was the second-best total, behind third-placed Aston Villa, on 27.

Premier League table: What will happen if Arsenal don’t beat Brentford?

If Arsenal draw, Mikel Arteta’s side will be four points above City and seven above Villa with 12 league games remaining for each team.

It means victory will move them six points clear of the Citizens, although Thiago’s successful effort showed Brentford have their own designs on getting maximum points.

Brentford started the evening in seventh place and will move four points behind eighth-placed Everton with the draw.

A two-goal win would see Keith Andrews’ side secure sixth place above Liverpool. Curiously, a 2-1 win would put them level with the reigning champions on points, goal difference, goals scored and goals conceded.

Brentford confirm starting squad against Arsenal

Brentford made one change from their 3-2 win at Newcastle on Saturday, bringing on Yehor Yarmolyuk for Jordan Henderson in midfield.

Forward Kevin Shead was suspended and Reece Nelson was ineligible to play against his parent club, so Luca Bente replaced the winger on the bench.

Midfielders Fabio Carvalho, Antony Milambo and Josh DeSilva all had long-term injuries.

Brentford Starting XI: Caoimhin Kelleher, Michael Kayode, Christopher Ajer, Sepp van den Berg, Rico Henry, Dengo Ouattara, Yehor Yarmolyuk, Matthias Jensen, Vitaly Gennelt, Kean Lewis-Potter, Igor Thiago

Brentford substitute: Håkon Valdimarsson, Aaron Hickey, Ethan Pinnock, Jordan Henderson, Nathan Collins, Mikael Damsgaard, Romelle Donovan, Kaye Furrow, Luca Bent

“The biggest dream of my life is to wear the jersey of my national team” 🇧🇷

Brentford’s Igor Thiago discusses his 2026 World Cup ambitions 🙌 pic.twitter.com/Zp3LGw6KE2

– Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 12, 2026

Arsenal confirm starting squad against Brentford

Winger Bukayo Saka and midfielder Martin Odegaard returned to the bench for Arsenal after injuries, missing home wins against Chelsea and Sunderland last week.

Centre-back William Saliba was not involved as the hosts made four changes from Saturday’s 3-0 win over the Black Cats.

Cristian Mosquera replaced Saliba and Piero Hincapie came on for full-back Riccardo Calafiori. In attack, Aberechi Eze and Victor Gyokares replaced Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Midfielder or forward Mikel Merino was recovering from foot surgery and winger Max Domin was out with an ankle problem.

Arsenal starting XI: David Raya, Jurien Timber, Cristian Mosquera, Gabriel Magalhas, Piro Hincapie, Aberechi Eze, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Noni Maduke, Victor Gyokares, Leandro Trossard

Arsenal replacement: Capa Arrizabalaga, Ben White, Bucayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Christian Norgaard, Ricardo Calafiori, Myles Lewis-Skelley

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 on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate in the UK.

TNT Sports costs £29.99 per month Discovery PlusThis includes Eurosport and entertainment and is available on a wide range of devices including smart TVs and gaming consoles.

Brentford vs Arsenal Stats

• Brentford’s seven-match unbeaten run at the GTech Stadium ended with a 2-0 loss to Nottingham Forest in their last home league game.
• Since the start of last season, they have only lost two consecutive home league games, the first being a 2-0 loss to Nottingham Forest and then Arsenal.
• In their first game in the competition in August 2021, their first ever Premier League win came against Arsenal.
• Since then, they are 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 a win (D6 L4), going seven without a win since a 2–1 win over Crystal Palace in August 2024.
• Igor Thiago has scored nine goals in his last 10 Premier League home games, picking up 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 on 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 a manager, the best win rate (61%) for at least 20 in charge.
• 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 have lost one of their 20 away games against London sides (W14 D5).
• Despite Arsenal being unbeaten in their last 12 Premier League games on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday (W9 D3), they are 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), the third most of any Arsenal player behind Thierry Henry (55) and Dennis Bergkamp (38).

What’s next for these teams? Brentford, Arsenal fixtures

Brentford visit non-league Macclesfield 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.