Brighton v Arsenal predicted line-ups: Confirmed team news & expected XIs | OneFootball

The game at the Amex on Saturday evening will be shown on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, ahead of a 17:30 kick-off.

Brighton v Arsenal predicted line-ups

Brighton (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen, Lamptey, Van Hecke, Dunk, Estupinan, Baleba, Ayari, Gruda, O’Riley, Mitoma, Pedro

Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya, Partey, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Odegaard, Rice, Havertz, Martinelli, Jesus, Trossard

Brighton v Arsenal team news

The Seagulls have a handful of players unavailable for their clash against the Gunners. James Milner, Jack Hinshelwood and Ferdi Kadioglu are set to be absent. Meanwhile, an ankle injury means Danny Welbeck won’t be fit to face his old side.

Adam Webster has a chance of returning to the squad after suffering from a hamstring problem, while Pervis Estupinan is likely to slot back in at left-back after missing the 2-2 draw against Aston Villa through illness.

New signing Diego Gomez is not expected to be included, having only just joined from MLS outfit Inter Miami. The rest of the team should largely remain untouched from the Villa game, with Tariq Lamptey continuing at right-back alongside centre-backs Van Hecke and Lewis Dunk.

In midfield, we should see Carlos Baleba continue next to Yasin Ayari, with Brajan Gruda on the right flank. Julio Enciso failed to impress against Villa so Matt O’Riley could come back in. Kaoru Mitoma could also return to the side, with Joao Pedro getting the nod up front.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has a decision to make in defence with Jurrien Timber set to miss this game through suspension. That will likely mean midfielder Thomas Partey slots into the right-back berth next to William Saliba, Gabriel and left-back Riccardo Calafiori.

Arteta is also hoping to have Kai Havertz back from illness after he missed the 3-1 win over Brentford last time out, with the German set to move back into the midfield alongside captain Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice.

Up front, we could see Leandro Trossard return to the starting XI at right wing against his old club after Ethan Nwaneri was given a start against Brentford, with Gabriel Martinelli on the opposite flank. In-form Gabriel Jesus will continue up front.

Can Jesus continue his resurgence?

Arsenal’s lack of a recognised No.9 has been masked by the revival of Gabriel Jesus, who until a couple of weeks ago had only one goal to his name all season long.

But after being given a show of faith by Arteta, the Brazilian now has six in his last four matches in all competitions and is giving Arsenal the firepower they desperately need as they bid to claw back Liverpool’s six-point lead at the top of the table.

Bukayo Saka was given a crushing injury blow last month after suffering a torn hamstring that will rule him out for at least two months. The England winger is one of Arsenal’s top scorers this season with nine goals, second to Havertz with 12.

Despite both of those players being out against Brentford, Jesus stepped up once again to score the opener against the Bees, cancelling out Bryan Mbeumo’s opener. Martinelli and Mikel Merino then made sure of the three points. Jesus’ six goals in the last four games have come from just 11 shots. His previous six goals from Arsenal came from 83 shots.