Arsenal are set for another tricky game down on the South Coast when we visit Brighton’s Amex Stadium, and Unai Emery’s biggest problem is covering for our myriad defensive injuries, especially with Liverpool coming up on Saturday as well. But I guess all the EPL sides are starting to feel fatigue and suffering suspensions as the fixture list takes it toll.
Arsenal had a great away record this season but even that has suffered lately, as we can see from our most recent away form…
We have only lost one of our last six away, but Brighton have not been playing too bad on home soil either and have a right to be a little confident against a depleted Arsenal side. Here is their recent home form….
As for the team news, Brighton are missing one of their most influential players today in Lewis Dunk, but the Seagull’s manager Chris Hughton is getting Shane Duffy back after also returning from suspension. As Hughton said in the official Brighton website: “With one negative, you’d like to think there’s also a positive — Shane is back from suspension for the game, so what we’ve lost on one hand, we’ve gained with him coming back.
“Lewis has been a mainstay for us, not only this season but over previous seasons. He’ll certainly be a miss against Arsenal, but what we do have is a competitive squad.
“Shane was out for a few games and we had to readjust. We missed Dale Stephens for a few games as well, and it’s just about using the squad in the best way that we can.”
As for Arsenal we are missing loads of players and although we have already covered the injury list earlier today, here is a quick summary….
Mkhitaryan (foot), Monreal (thigh), Bellerin (calf), Kolasinac (thigh), Mustafi (hamstring) Holding (ACL), Welbeck (ankle), Mavropanos (groin)
Another big worry we have with the trip to Anfield is that Torreira and Guendouzi are both just one yellow away from a suspension and will have to be very careful if they play today. So how do we expect Emery to line up his side? I think the boss thinks every game is important and will only be worrying about gaining three points today rather than worry about Liverpool, so I think he will play a strong XI, but still stick to five at the back.
Here is my line-up prediction…
Leno
Lichtsteiner..Koscielny..Xhaka..Sokratis..Kolasinac
Torreira..Guendouzi
Ozil..Ramsey
Aubameyang
In my eyes that should be strong enough to secure the points, but I’m not expecting an easy game. I’m going for 2-1 to Arsenal.
What do you think?
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