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[Image] Smith Rowe & Martinelli miss out: My Arsenal line-up vs Brighton

By on May 22, 2021

Arsenal take on Brighton at the Emirates in our final game of the season on Sunday. This is the team I’d like to see Mikel Arteta select for the match…

Obviously Berno Leno should start in goal and I don’t think we should see any changes in defence either. Hector Bellerin has been ruled out with a leg injury and may have played his last game for Arsenal so Calum Chambers will continue at right-back.

Kieran Tierney should keep his place on the left while I hope Gabriel continues alongside Rob Holding in the middle of the back four. David Luiz remains a doubt with a thigh injury so Pablo Mari would be the back-up on the bench.

In midfield, I hope we see Granit Xhaka return to the starting eleven. He made his comeback from injury off the bench during the 3-1 win at Crystal Palace on Wednesday night and he should be ready to start.

Thomas Partey has been in poor form lately but I don’t think it’s a coincidence he’s struggled while Xhaka hasn’t been playing in midfield. Partey has always looked more comfortable with Xhaka alongside him so hopefully we see them rekindle their partnership tomorrow.

Martinelli misses out

Arsenal have plenty of options in attack and I honestly struggled to decide on the three attacking midfielders. I’ve been calling for Gabriel Martinelli to get a run in the first team in recent weeks and he’s certainly pushing for a start after scoring the winner against Palace.

However, it’s also difficult to leave Nicolas Pepe out of the team after his two impressive goals in midweek while Bukayo Saka has to start so unfortunately I’d leave Martinelli on the bench tomorrow.

Martin Odegaard made an impact off the bench at Selhurst Park and he looks fresh so I’d go with him over Emile Smith Rowe in the attacking central midfield position against Brighton.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was poor in midweek but he’s still Arsenal’s biggest goal threat so I’d stick with him up front and have Alexandre Lacazette among the substitutes.

This would be my Arsenal line-up:

football formations