Arsenal will look to register their fifth straight win in all competitions when they travel to high-flying Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Saturday.
After a dismal start to the new season under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal have gotten their campaign back on track. Back-to-back 1-0 wins followed by a 3-1 humbling of London rivals Tottenham Hotspur have lifted the Gunners back into the top half of the table.
However, they will face a stiff challenge next up in the shape of Brighton, who have made their best-ever start to a top-flight campaign. Graham Potter’s side currently sit sixth on 13 points, just one point adrift of league leaders Liverpool.
The last time these two sides met, a Nicolas Pepe brace guided Arsenal to a 2-0 win on the final day of the 2020-21 league season.
Arsenal Team News
Midfielder Granit Xhaka is Arsenal’s only absentee for this game. The Swiss international injured his knee in the derby against Spurs and will be out of action until December.
PREDICTED ARSENAL LINEUP vs BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
Summer signing Aaron Ramsdale has needed just five games to establish himself as Arsenal’s first-choice ahead of Bernd Leno. Ramsdale, a commanding presence in his own box, was instrumental in Arsenal’s win over Tottenham, making a couple of fantastic saves. He will retain his spot in the Arsenal lineup.
Defenders
Takehiro Tomiyasu has made a sensational start to life in north London. The Japanese has added physicality and energy to the Arsenal backline and has barely put a foot wrong since his arrival at the Emirates. He is guaranteed to start at right back.
Kieran Tierney was one of Arsenal’s standout players last season. Although his level has tailed off quite considerably this year, he remains an integral part of the side, especially going forward.
Arteta is unlikely to tinker with his first-choice centre-back partnership of Gabriel and Ben White. The two looked comfortable against the likes of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min and should get the nod once again. White, in particular, will be looking to impress against his former club.
Midfielders
Thomas Partey is one of the first names on the Arsenal team-sheet when fit. The Ghana midfielder is beginning to show signs of the form that prompted the Gunners to shell out £45 million on him last summer. With Granit Xhaha out injured, Albert Sambi Lokonga could return to the Arsenal lineup. The Belgian has hit the ground running at the Emirates and has a bright future ahead of him.
Martin Odegaard will once again slot into the No. 10 role. The Norwegian will play a key role in trying to unlock a compact Brighton defence.
Attackers
Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe are expected to start in the wide roles for Arsenal after getting on the score-sheet against Spurs. That means Nicolas Pepe will have to settle for a spot on the bench.
Predicted Arsenal Lineup vs Brighton
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will lead the line for the Gunners. After a dismal 2020-21 season, Aubameyang will be keen to turn his fortunes around. His goal in the north London derby could be a catalyst to get his season up and running.