Arsenal fans will hope to see Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka returning to the starting lineup against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.
Arsenal will travel to the Amex Stadium for one of their four remaining away games this season as the late run-in kicks in against Brighton & Hove Albion. Mikel Arteta will likely have his entire squad, barring probably Jurrien Timber, available for selection ahead of this crucial clash today.
During his pre-match press conference, Arteta stressed the importance of the remaining games and the need to win them at all costs. He also updated on Bukayo Saka’s fitness, as the winger missed the midweek clash against Luton Town.
When asked about Saka’s fitness and availability, Arteta said, “We will know now. We have a training session in a few hours, and we will know whether he is fit or not. Everyone else seems OK.”
Arsenal have four remaining games to be played away from home. The quality of those fixtures might depend on their chances of winning the title. Arteta acknowledged it and said, “Yes, but at home as well. We have the Champions League games, and we have some big games at home, so every game in this league is tough.”
“You look at last night what happened again, and everybody is just suffering to win because the level is so high, and we’re going to have a really tough opponent again in Brighton. We know that, so we’ll prepare well and try to be better than them and try to win.”
In terms of the team news, there is nothing new to report apart from concerns over Saka’s fitness. Going by Arteta’s words, the winger might be ready to play, and the manager would want to give him minutes. Given the importance of the away clash, he will probably start him irrespective of the Bayern Munich clash next week looming large.
Arsenal could revert to their most potent lineup after heavily rotating the team in midweek. Jakub Kiwior could return to the lineup and replace Oleksandr Zinchenko at left-back. Jorginho and Declan Rice are also pencilled in for returns to replace Thomas Partey and Emile Smith Rowe in the midfield unit.
Martin Odegaard will keep his place on the right side of the midfield three and play the link between the central and attacking thirds. Saka will be expected to start on the right flank, while Gabriel Martinelli could make his first start in weeks from the left-hand side. Finally, Kai Havertz will continue to lead the line for the away side.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Raya; Ben White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Odegaard, Jorginho, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
