Arsenal could name a familiar lineup to face Brighton, but Thomas Partey and Kieran Tierney could come into the team.
Arsenal will host Brighton & Hove Albion at the Emirates on Sunday, with Mikel Arteta aiming to win the last three Premier League games. The clash against the Seaguls is a great opportunity for the Gunners to keep pace with Manchester City.
There were many things to report in the build-up to the game. David Ornstein’s breaking story about William Saliba and Oleksandr Zinchenko’s season-ending injuries were chief among those. During his pre-match press conference, Arteta did not confirm the same but indicated the duo could miss the Brighton clash.
On Zinchenko and Saliba’s fitness, Arteta said, “We have another session tomorrow before the Brighton game, and we are trying to get players back for that. Today we haven’t trained on the pitch, so we’ll know more tomorrow.”
“With William [Saliba], it’s for sure that he’s not going to be fit for this game and we are doubting whether he will be fit for the next game as well. But we want to keep the hope going and make sure that we give ourselves the best chance of having them back.”
With Zinchenko potentially missing the Brighton game, the door will open for Kieran Tierney to make an impression on Arteta. The Scottish full-back will play the remaining three games if the media reports are accurate. Arteta got asked about him, and the manager had a typical response to the question about the full-back.
Arteta continued, “There are opportunities for everybody. In every game they have to show that they are up to it and then that we make the right or the wrong decision with the lineup, giving the players the minutes that they deserve. It’s very difficult with players in this sport because you pick 11 to play and some to be sub and it’s not always right. You do it all the time with your best intention.”
On to the team news, Arteta will likely make only a few tweaks, with games still holding plenty of importance. Aaron Ramsdale, Ben White, Jakub Kiwior and Gabriel Magalhaes will form the backline with the addition of Tierney at left-back.
Thomas Partey could come into midfield after Jorginho started the last two games. While the Italian international was imperious in both those games, Brighton’s style and tactics could demand a player of the Ghanaian’s profile. Martin Odegaard and Granit Xhaka will keep their attacking midfield spots.
Bukayo Saka will keep his place on the right side of the Arsenal attack, with Gabriel Martinelli on the left. Arteta might tempt himself to pick Leandro Trossard. But Gabriel Jesus could continue to lead the line for the Gunners against Brighton.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Ramsdale; ben White, Kiwior, Gabriel Magalhaes, Tierney; Odegaard, Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
