Arsenal return to The Emirates after three away games on the bounce as they host Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Sunday. Last Word on Football predicts how the North London side will lineup.
Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs Brighton & Hove Albion
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How Arsenal Have Lined Up Recently
The Gunners look to get back to winning ways having dropped points at Aston Villa and PSV in their past two matches. The dead rubber match with the Dutch leaders on Tuesday night ended 1-1 with Mikel Arteta’s side already confirmed group winners.
In goal, David Raya was rested, and another opportunity fell the way of Aaron Ramsdale to regain his number one spot. The Englishman did himself no harm but it seems as if his manager’s mind is made up.
There was a rare outing for Cedric at right back for Arsenal with the Portuguese defender almost certain to be moved on in January. The unbreakable partnership of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes started at centre back with Jakub Kiwior preferred at left back.
In midfield, there was a welcome return to the long-serving Mohamed Elneny who earned himself a rare start. Jorginho came in for Declan Rice as the other holding midfielder and Kai Havertz was given a chance from the start to build on the momentum he had built in November earning himself the Gunners’ player of the month award.
Eddie Nketiah took his opportunity upfront by grabbing Arsenal’s only goal of the game. Reiss Nelson and Leandro Trossard were preferred on the wings giving Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli a much-earned break.
Changes We May See
There is no doubt that Mikel Arteta will return to a full-strength side for the visit of Brighton with the same fixture last season ending in a 3-0 victory for the Seagulls. Baring that in mind, Raya who seems way ahead of Ramsdale in Arteta’s pecking order will return between the sticks.
In defence, Oleksandr Zinchenko who was an unused sub against PSV will likely return to left-back having been in real form of late. Takehiro Tomiyasu’s injury means that Ben White will almost certainly occupy the right back role with Cedric making way and unlikely to wear the famous red and white again.
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Record signing Rice will come into the midfield alongside club captain Martin Odegaard with the latter looking to return to the consistent lofty heights he reached last season. With the form of Havertz, the German is likely to occupy the high left eight role.
Neither Saka nor Martinelli were in the squad midweek but both were dangerous at Villa Park last weekend despite not troubling the scoreline. Former Brighton star Trossard will count himself unlucky if he were to be dropped for Sunday’s clash but Gabriel Jesus is likely to complete the starting lineup with the Brazilian playing an essential role for Arteta’s side when fit.
Arsenal’s Recent Form And Tactics
Despite being winless in their past two matches, optimism remains high around the club. Arsenal were unlucky to lose against Aston Villa having dominated large swaths of the game. Injuries to key players for Robert De Zerbi’s side, as well as having two fewer days to prepare for Sunday’s clash places the Gunners as firm favourites.
Arsenal’s Injuries To Consider
The Gunners’ injury list is not of the size of some of their competitors with the recent recoveries of Emile Smith-Rowe and Elneny. Thomas Partey remains sidelined although expected back in the coming weeks. Both Partey and Elneny will however have one eye on the African Cup of Nations in January of next year.
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Arteta provided an encouraging update on long-term absentee Jurrien Timber although the Dutchman is still not close to a return to the pitch.
Arsenal Predicted Lineup
Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Rice, Odegaard, Havertz, Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.
