Yoane Wissa is in contention to make his Brentford debut against Arsenal tomorrow night with head coach Thomas Frank confident that the 24-year-old forward is in a good place mentally following an alleged acid attack in France last month. The DR Congo international, signed in an £8.5m deal from Lorient on Tuesday, passed his medical despite what Frank called “minor” concerns. Wissa is likely to start from the bench in the Bees first ever Premier League game but his versatility and pace means he will play a vital role in their attempt to thrive in the top flight.
Thomas Frank said: “He’s good. I just had half an hour talk with him [on Wednesday] about everything. I’ve spoken with him many times but [now] more about settling in, the style of play and expectations of him. He’s fine. He’s a positive person so I’m sure he’ll be fine.”
Asked if he could elaborate on the alleged attack,
Thomas Frank added: “We spoke about it but [you should] speak to him about it. For me let’s talk about football.”
Brentford had been tracking Wissa for some time and were impressed by the ease with which he made the jump from Ligue 2 to Ligue 1 at Lorient. Strongest when attacking from wide areas, he can also play centrally and Frank is confident he will continue to develop in West London.
Thomas Frank added: “We felt that we needed a little bit more depth and strength in the offensive part of our play. Yoane is a very powerful and paceful winger, 10 or strikerish depending on how we utilise him the best. We need that in our squad. He can provide goals, assists and we think he’s done well the last two years in France – first in Ligue 2 and then in Ligue 1. We think he can reach a higher level with us and help us.”
Brentford will be without former Arsenal academy product Josh Dasilva, who is still recovering from a hip injury sustained last season, and Denmark international Mathias Jensen following a foot injury picked up in the Euro 2020 semi-final defeat to England at Wembley.
