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Brighton v Arsenal preview | Confirmed team news, line-up + prediction

By on June 19, 2020

Mikel Arteta Arsenal

Arsenal will look to put the defeat at Man City behind us when we take on Brighton at the Amex on Saturday afternoon.

Wednesday night’s defeat was one we’ve seen time and again from Arsenal in recent years, particularly in the big away games. An individual mistake costing us a goal, a brainless decision giving away a penalty and a red card that ended hopes of a comeback. It was all too familiar and until Arteta can address these issues, we’re going to continue to struggle.

The 3-0 defeat to City has left us languishing way down in ninth position in the Premier League table and we could drop to 11th if results don’t go our way this weekend. However, let’s look at the positives. A win at the Amex and Arsenal can move to within five points of fourth place so it’s vital we come away with victory tomorrow or we can forget about making a late charge for a European place.

It’s not going to be easy though as Brighton are fighting for their lives at the bottom of the division. The Seagulls currently sit 15th but are just two points off the relegation zone so they’ll be desperate to secure a positive result this weekend.

Team news

Arsenal were dealt a double blow on Wednesday as Pablo Mari is out for the season after suffering an Achilles injury against City while Granit Xhaka is also facing a couple of weeks on the sidelines with an ankle problem.

Luiz is obviously suspended after being sent off while Sokratis has been ruled out with a thigh injury. With Calum Chambers also out, Arteta has little option but to start Rob Holding and Shkodran Mustafi in defence.

Lucas Torreira is still a couple of weeks away from returning from an ankle injury but Mesut Ozil could be back in the squad after being axed for the trip to City in midweek.

As for Brighton, they’ll be without Jose Izquerdo as he’s still working his way back from a knee injury but Aaron Connolly is fit after recovering from his own knee issue.

Preferred line-up

I hope Ozil is recalled as we badly need his creativity. Joe Willock was anonymous on Wednesday and Ozil couldn’t have done a worse job so let’s get something for our £350k-a-week. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang should play though the middle and I’d like to see him flanked by Nicolas Pepe and Bukayo Saka.

football formations

Prediction

Arsenal haven’t beaten Brighton in any of our last four league meetings and they’ve already taken points from Tottenham and Chelsea at home this season so we know this will be a tough game. Arsenal’s away form is shocking and we have injury problems but I’m going to back the boys to edge it on the south coast.

We have the quality and as long as Arteta picks the right team, I fancy us to bring home all three points tomorrow.

Brighton 1-2 Arsenal