Arsenal vs Brighton predicted XIs: Team news and probable line-ups | OneFootball

Arsenal return to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday as they host a Brighton side who are loving life under new manager Fabian Hurzeler.

Predicted XIs:

Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Trossard.

Brighton (4-2-3-1): Steele; Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, Hinshelwood; Baleba, Gilmour; Minteh, Enciso, Mitoma; Joao Pedro.

Brighton have also enjoyed a perfect start to the Premier League season after victories over Everton and Manchester United and they may feel confident in coming away with a result having won three of their last four visits to the Emirates in all competitions.

The match is due to kick-off at 12:30pm on Saturday 31st August, with the Gunners looking to make it three wins from three at the start of this campaign.

Arsenal vs Brighton Team News

Defenders Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney are still nursing hamstring and knee problems respectively and will not feature, while Gabriel Jesus is a doubt as he continues to recover from a thigh injury.

Arsenal completed the signing of central midfielder Mikel Merino in midweek and the Spaniard will be available for selection to make his debut on Saturday.

New signing Matt O’Riley was on the receiving end of a nasty tackle in Brighton’s 4-0 win over Crawley Town in the Carabao Cup and is a major doubt for this weekend.

The former Celtic star could therefore join the likes of Evan Ferguson, Solly March and Pervis Estupinan on the sidelines – all of which remain out through injury.

Trossard could give Arteta food for thought

While most Arsenal players, fans and boss Mikel Arteta will be ecstatic after they secured a 2-0 win at Aston Villa last weekend, one man who looked less happy than most was winger Leandro Trossard.

Despite being a firm favourite amongst the Gunners faithful, the Belgian has regularly found himself behind Gabriel Martinelli in the pecking order – with the 29-year-old coming off the bench in both of Arsenal’s league matches this season.

Of his 34 league appearances last season, Trossard started just 18 matches – six fewer than Brazilian Martinelli.

However, the Belgian registered more goal contributions (13 to 12) and netted more league goals (12 to 6) than Martinelli and many are clamouring for the Belgian to be given more chances from the off.

Martinelli struggled for form for much of last season and his performances so far this season have also brought criticism.

With a meeting with his former employers on the horizon, Arteta may feel like now is the time to make a change in personnel.