Brentford boss Thomas Frank reckons Arsenal are the 'best set-piece team in world football'
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Brentford boss Thomas Frank acknowledges his side must produce their "A game" on New Year's Day after branding opponents Arsenal the "best set-piece team" in world football.
Mikel Arteta's men go into Wednesday evening's London derby at the Gtech Community Stadium having scored 10 of their 35 Premier League goals this term from dead-ball situations following a total of 22 last season.
Frank has backed his players to deal with the threats posed by a Gunners team reaping regular rewards under the guidance of former Bees set-piece coach Nicolas Jover.
"Arsenal is the best set-piece team not only in the Premier League but in the world right now," the Dane told a press conference.
"They are so aggressive and they are well-coached - but we are also good at set-pieces and we will be ready.
"We are good at defending corners. As far as I know, we have only conceded from one corner so far - which was a short corner against Bournemouth (a 3-2 win on November 9) - in the Premier League this season.
"We defend very well so we trust our own processes but, of course, with huge respect to Arsenal and what they can come with.
"We know we need to play our A game; not just in set-pieces but with every aspect of the game."
Arsenal finished just two points behind champions Manchester City last season.
Yet, despite only two defeats in 18 league fixtures this campaign, the title hopefuls are already nine points adrift of table-topping Liverpool.
Amid the relentless form of Arne Slot's runaway leaders, the much-publicised struggles of City and Manchester United and Chelsea's unexpected progress under Enzo Maresca, Frank feels the third-placed Gunners have gone slightly unnoticed.
"We're facing a very good Arsenal team," he said.
"In a way, I think they've gone under the radar because there is so much talk about Manchester City and Manchester United - and Liverpool, of course, because they are doing fantastically. Also Chelsea, who are maybe doing better than people expected.
"They have performed consistently well, Arsenal. They look so competitive in every area. They defend well, they attack well, they're fantastic on set-pieces; it's going to be a tough test."
Defender Ben Mee has been added to Brentford's substantial injury list following Friday's 0-0 draw at Brighton, while goalkeeper Hakon Valdimarsson could make his full Premier League debut, if Mark Flekken fails to overcome the issue which forced him off at the Amex Stadium.
Having taken 22 points from the first 24 available in front of their own fans, the Bees' unbeaten home record was halted by a 2-0 defeat to second-placed Nottingham Forest just before Christmas.
"We are at home, we'll put a competitive team out there, and we'll do whatever we can to try and win the game," added Frank.