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Confirmed Arsenal team to face Brighton – Rice starts, Odegaard on bench

Arsenal travel to the American Express Stadium this evening to face Brighton & Hove Albion, and this is the team Mikel Arteta has gone with.

Right now, Arsenal is in exceptional form, riding high on a nine-match unbeaten streak in the Premier League, while Brighton has struggled to find their rhythm, winless in their last seven league matches.

Under Arteta, the Gunners have been impressive, most recently securing a 3-1 victory over Brentford. This win has solidified their position in second place with 39 points, just six behind league leaders Liverpool.

Brighton, managed by Fabian Hürzeler, sits in 10th place with 27 points. Despite their recent struggles, the Seagulls have shown resilience, drawing five of their last seven games. Their most recent match ended in a 2-2 draw against Aston Villa, proving they can compete with top teams, even during a winless stretch.

The last meeting between these two sides ended in a 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium, with Kai Havertz and João Pedro both finding the back of the net. Arsenal has the upper hand in recent encounters, remaining unbeaten in their last three Premier League meetings with Brighton.

Arsenal will be aiming to maintain their title challenge, while Brighton looks to rediscover their winning form and climb back up the table. With both teams capable of exciting football, this match promises to be a captivating Premier League spectacle.

Let us know in the comments below what you think of Arteta’s team selection and your predicted final score for the match.

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146 Comments

  1. Lewis-Skelly should have come in for Calafiori! The midfield of Merino, Rice and Jorginho is surely going to slow down the game.

      1. The coach has named is lineup which he thinks will give arsenal results according to his tactics so you’re assumptions of wanting Lewis to start doesn’t work.

        1. Do you men His line up. And its Artetas job to pick it. I was just having an opinion with Jagombe because Skelly is really a midfielder. Wise guy.

        2. That’s why we losing good youngsters in the academy… always fooling them by letting them train with first team but no faith in them when it comes to the push

        1. Name your player choice in the right back position if not Partey and provide a valid reason if you think Arteta is wrong in playing him there.

            1. 1. All three RBs are injured/suspended.
              2. Of all the available senior players in the squad,Partey has the most experience playing at RB,having played there for Atletico Madrid and Arsenal.
              3. Partey may have been our best midfielder so far this season, but our other midfielders are very much capable of deputising without a significant drop in quality.
              4. Partey will most likely be inverting into midfield when we have the ball.
              5. Partey is one of the most experienced and tactically smart players in the squad. This is why he is trusted to play multiple roles. This is a compliment to him.

              1. I dont think that justifies moving our best midfielder. Arguably we have weakened two areas, rather than one.

                1. Any movement to RB by any player is bound to weaken two positions. Partey’s movement weakens two positions the least!

          2. I think Jakub kiwior can play across the back four, if the midfield is solid then there will be little penetration to the back line which is crucial and he also supports in attacking the opponents.

  3. Well Arteta is really making changes. Again a strange team but should be good enough against a weakened Brighton. Would have liked Partey midfield but beggers can not be choosers.

  4. I presume that Arteta is trying to ring the changes in advance of the game against Newcastle on Tuesday and it looks as though Havertz hasn’t fully recovered

  5. Merino Rice Jorginho midfield sounds eerily similar to the Merino Rice Partey disaster of a midfield that we saw versus Bournemouth. Anyway maybe today will be different but I don’t see where the creativity will come from when the entire midfield is DMs!

  6. sorry to say but 2day is the day partey going to be found out at rb not hes fault mls should b starting lb r midfield jorginho merino slow slow slow

    1. Partey can’t be found out defensively

      He’s arguably our best tackler
      (I’ve watched him longer than Saliba due to being in the team longer, and he does it more often per match than Saliba due to being in the midfield – where most play occur)

      He might be found out in some other ways though – maybe not understanding the dynamics of the role – or not having enough understanding with fellow defenders)

      But defensively he’s solid like a rock

  7. For God’s Sake Why is Ben White taking so long to return, he’s practically not been available all season

    And that Tomiyasu, we can just say he’s no longer our player

    Timber misses-out due to card accumulation

    We saw Merino in AMF against Bournemouth – it was flatter than flat

    Hope Rice will realize that he’s the one to shoulder plenty responsibilities today

  8. I don’t understand Gooners, isn’t we were all crying for depth and quality rotation as well as unpredictability all these years, Arteta is doing just that, ensuring that everyone gets a good run of games without compromising the team strength, and besides White, Timber and Tommi, no one is reliable enough as a RB than Partey, so why are we not satisfied.

    1. Partey is no where near as good a RB as he is our best midfielder. How do we know we haven’t better, he always plays Partey?

        1. We have played RB at LB, so why not. They would know about position. Why not Saliba and play Calaforini at CB. Tierney has played CB. There are defender options.

          1. Reggie the only RB that have been played at LB are Timber and Tommi, because there were brought in to play all back 4 positions, maybe you could argue for White to play LB very soon,right?

    2. I understand the complains though

      Nwaneri in AMF would have been better

      But who would play that right side wing

      I guess this is around the strongest rotation Arteta can afford now as we all witnessed that Odegaard needed a rest

      (by the way – this not even a rest per se, if he starts in the next game which is just 2/3 days away)

  11. There is simply not a viable alternative for RB as the 3 senior players who are comfortable in that position ,namely Timber,White and Tomi are not available.With Havertz and Sterling also missing we are decidedly light up front for what is going to be a very difficult match.Brighton have some very classy midfielders ,especially Baleba, and for once, we may actually lose the possession game,but hopefully win the match.

  12. I think there will be a little freedom for Trosaard and Nwaneri to enter the midfield

    Both of them are not wingers and are actually closer to being an AMF than a winger

  13. The prematch doom and gloom is sooooo reminiscent of the Brentford game!!
    Let’s see how it turns out before condemning the manager or the players!!
    Having said that, I cannot understand why Partey has been moved, by that’s up to the boss.
    I would have put Skelly at LB and Califiori at RB, dropping Merino to the bench, with Rice and Partey in midfield.

    1. There are options Ken Saliba RB, Calaforini or Tierney CB. We could have moved defenders. Why do we have to move a midfielder? I don’t think its doom and gloom, its questioning the obvious.

  14. Honestly, I don’t see any creativity in this game, benching your only AM just to lineup 3 Dms with the deepest lying midfielder being the most likely to create. If Arsenal lose a point then is all on Arteta

        2. Now you’re talking Reggie old man! No matter our opinions we should defer to the man being paid to do the job AND who has been doing it rather well. Have faith.

  15. Will be a fantastic result if we get a win today as we are super light on the bench. I’m optimistic we win

  17. I want Arteta to give some minutes to Oyedeji to play in the match for me to see him in competitive action.
    Gut if Arsenal are comfortably leading Brighton in the match with some minutes left to match end.

  18. 2.2 points per game average Partey midfield. 1.3 average Partey RB. I rest my case, it doesnt work.

      1. We are there for the taking
        But Brighton very sloppy too

        Our defence & midfield doesn’t fill one with confidence at all

  25. Jorginho is killing us a shocking player can’t run so falls over gets a free kick the next slow corner Taylor will show a red

  26. I’m totally fed up with us wasting time at every throw in, corner, free kick and goal kick. We will probably have a player sent off if we keep this up and it will be deserved!

  27. A great goal by Nwaneri and an excellent assist from Merino, but Nwaneri was too overconfident at getting past players sometimes

    Arsenal had better offer Partey a two-year extension and ship Jorginho/ Trossard out

    1. Trosaard ???

      What did he do wrong today ?

      I’d rather ship out Merino,
      if any of our player hits the fall so easy at any type of touch – you can beat your chest 200% it’s Jorginho or Merino

      Yes, Nwaneri becoming overconfident so losing too many balls
      And succesively playing 2 corners poorly is not encouraging

      2. Merino made a very good assist and Trossard couldn’t get past any player due to his lack of pace

        We need a pacier LW to compete with Martinelli

        1. That wasn’t an assist, give me a break. It wasn’t even meant for Nwaneri, it was a failed 1 2 with Rice. And Nwaneri had two players and a jinking run to make before he could shoot. Give me strength, clutching at straws.

  28. Brighton are a very poor team and we are playing the bore fest football. Its all so slow and tippy tappy sh*t. The midfield is missing Partey. Merino and Jorghino are so slow. Release the shakles second half Arteta, we are too deep.

  29. Can only confer that it’s been an interesting first half that could turn into a nail-biter if Mitoma comes on and Brighton click into gear. As mentioned this has been a game of character by our players, fingers crossed they can snag the three points.

  34. Never a penalty in a million years. Head butt somebody in the penalty and get a penalty. Ridiculous.

  36. Looks like we get what we deserve with a midfield of Merlo and Jorghino, and the underwhelming Trossard and Jesus.

  37. Taylor is a cheat never a pen but what do we expect from him. I won’t say to much but the time has come to call this clown out

  39. Odegaard coming in for Jorginho. I hope he can change the game
    Arsenal not playing well at all

  40. Never a penalty. Anyone who says a pentalty is just point blank delusional. Just give Liverpool the league, I am done.

    1. Title is not getting decided by this game
      Title has gone way early
      But it’s frustrating to watch this

    2. That was a clear on field error, VAR should’ve overturned it. Where in the book does it say you can headbutt the opposition and get a penalty?

      1. You don’t know the rules. How on earth can you think you can have an opinion when, you don’t know the rules. If you miss the ball and strike a player, foot or head, its a foul.

  41. Whenever we have Jorginho, we struggle. There’s passion for the team. Why is Arteta featuring the mediocre Chelsea reject

  43. The second half so far has been diabolical
    It’s been like 22 bunnies running around on new Duracell batteries

    1. Our result flattered us a few days ago, SueP. This is just as poor. Not one shot on target in over sixy minutes? Not winning anything this year..

      2. GunnerRay
        The first half was perfectly acceptable but the second half has been dire. Not a first team out there but to lose direction is borderline unforgivable

      3. GR

        Whenever Partey plays at RB and the midfield is manned by the slow three musketeers, three points are always hard to come by, by this club. It seems I am the only one who mourns, when the team selection shows such!

        Doesn’t the Academy have any players who can play RB, leaving Partey to play the midfield role, or are they being marketed for sale, by naming some on the bench?

  44. Brighton players are hungrier than us
    You can see from their body language
    There work rate
    We are done

  47. Merino is not EPL quality. A total waste of funds by Arteta again. I don’t think Arteta can win Ars the league. The negative play is too much

    1. Along with Raheem when we needed back up for Saka plus we needed a Striker & let Vieria go when we needed more attacking players after selling smith Rowe & Nelson. Merino is awful and Partey at RB will always cost us.

      Add on Havertz when we needed a proper CF and replacement for Xhaka. The list goes on and on

  48. Trossard, Rice, Jesus, Martinelli Partey, and Marino have all been poor. We don’t deserve three points tbh.

  49. why do Arsenal players like to cut back rather than whip in across? so many times they beat their man outside but will cut inside to either pass or try to shoot. We are one dimensional team

  53. I don’t understand why on Earth we have taken of Nwaneri, we really do owe this Brighton lot a hammering.

  54. Yet another dreadful performance. Surely arteta has to go his negative tactics and recruitment has left us with 4 DMs and 1 AM in midfield. It should surprise no one we cant score goals.

    1. We are done. Event we somehow miraculously win this, our tactic and play are not up to par to challenge the title. We over built our defense and yet, we are still short of body in defense: our offense has been grossly overlooked.

      I don’t know if this will be MA’s last season here, but he will lose the owner’s trust for transfer funding. This is not good for the club.

      By the way. I think Brighton’s physical play has been emboldened by the ref, this is not good refereeing.

    2. Sue P , I know you are so right. So much to be frustrated about. Hate to say it but this was one game where we missed Harvetz. At least he would have contested for balls which neither Jesus or Trossard seemed to be interested in. I don’t understand why Nwaneri was taken off so early, although outside of the goal he was still trying to get into the game. Also can’t understand the criticism of Califiori. At least he didn’t give the ball away time after time the way Merino, Partey, Jorghino and Jesus did. Unfortunately the chickens are home to roost after a poor or lazy summer transfer window. The big problem now for Arteta is how and when to get rid of these slow , aging, unproductive players.

      1. JoeS
        From what I have picked up, Nwaneri had an injury (the right side of the pitch is looking bare)
        For all the flack that Havertz receives, he is an important cog in the machinery. I thought Merino was reasonable and not the pariah he has been painted tonight
        In defence of Arteta, he was trying to ring the changes and the first half was well managed. Less said about the second, the better.

        1. So ueP. Most players in EPL put in a reasonable shift. Brighton’s midfielders did that as well. Edu and Arteta should have scouted far and wide instead of settling for Merino, a player who has most likely reached his peak.

  59. I am sick of Mikel tbh

    He is never going to win anything with us. He has had his chances and this season he had royally messed up with who’s he brought in.

    Liverpool have the league won now folks. We do what we always do bottle it and never take advantage of the opportunities given to us.

  60. That hesitant throw in by party sums up everything this team is about. They are robotic and only knows one way to play.

  61. Liverpool will win the EPL. This Arsenal won’t win a thing with performances like that and don’t deserve to. Such a shame after high hopes at the beginning of the season.

  62. We just don’t have “it” like a champion does. Game doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence going forward.

    Midfield and buildup too slow, toothless in attack, we both look and play dull.

    Still not able to seize opportunities, tactics really in question.

    Trossard did little, but perhaps just following instructions?

    Starting to be concerned about Merino; looks slow and cumbersome in midfield. Needs to find form because he is looking poor, not sure what he brings to the squad

    1. For Arteta to start a game with Merino and Joughino in, who are both as fast as a donkey, is criminal and shows where we are at with him. He loves slow ponderous football, that bores everyone to death. Trouble is, I think its boring our team.

    2. I absolutely get pissed the way he falls like a Baby every now and then

      I can see why he got injured his first day of training with us – he’s zero stamina just like Jorginho

  63. I know there are injuries
    I know there is illness
    I know that the 5th Timber yellow card hurt
    I know there’s a busy month ahead
    I know we’re in a cup semi final
    But the second half was as bad a display as I’ve witnessed and has no doubt made the red side of Liverpool rub their hands with glee
    Awful

  64. Jorginho had to leave – all he contributed was errors

    But Odegaard came in & it was clear the team knows he’s ill and didn’t involve him at-all

    We became 1 Man less with Odegaard’s introduction and wanted to force everything via the left

  65. Never a pen you’ll never see it again but let’s call out arsenal from raya on the half way line getting in the way trossard s pub player merino $30 the lad is painfully slow rating’s for all sub zero arteta has to go Newcastle will demolish this team midweek pool will win the title

    1. You don’t know the rules. He missed the ball and took the Brighton player out. 100% a penalty. Stop looking for excuses for a shocking performance.

  67. Sluggish and non existent mid-field, without Partey in middle, leaving Odegard on the bench. Removing Nwaneri and leaving Trosard to play 90 mins. This Arteta is clueless. We can never win anything with him. We will always be 2nd best at most with him. We need new manager to take us to that edge.

  68. They took their foot off the gas once they scored a goal. That is not the mentality of a title winning team

  70. When will Arteta get the message???? Partey is NOT A RIGHT BACK. FULL STOP. END OF. Switch Califiori to right back, and bring on Myles Lewis-Skelly.

  71. I think we should be playing saliba at RB – he’s played there before, quite a bit I think, and it fits better than partey or one of the left backs, who could find it very difficult to switch sides.

  72. I believe my judgement of Arteta will be complete after the game against Newcastle.
    I know he won’t win a trophy this season.
    He is a good coach, but I don’t think he is who we make him out to be.
    Today’s game was embarrassing.
    Partey is Arsenal’s best midfielder; why waste him at the RB? We had no striker today; Merino is not better than Elneny. Caliofori is not an upgrade on Tierney.
    Trossard is an impact sub, and Martinelli should be on the bench.
    It’s indicting when an academy player is your best player on the pitch. Odeegard doesn’t look fit and has looked this way for almost 4 matches.
    You would think we would be proactive in the january market but alas, we will sign someone from the dustbin like we always do (Rashford or another Chelsea outcast like Disasi)

  73. We have no chance plating with such a defensive team. No intent to attack and the lineup if full of defensive players. Arteta has failed. Did he send ESR, Nelson and Vieira away to have Jorginho and Merino give us goals.

  74. This might be a far cry, but we should begin to scout the Bournmouth coach. I think Arteta will do very well in Barcelona.

      1. @Joe . S If that is the case, then he is a poor manager who needs a checkbook to manage a team. I often ask, Can Arteta manage a club like Nothingham Forest or Aston Villa and elevate them?

  75. I’ve read every single comment and now it’s time for my two pennies worth.

    Firstly, is anyone else getting irritated at our slow play concerning Corners and throw-ins. When asked about the yellow cards for this, Arteta’s answer was yes we must improve on this. What is he talking about, this shouldn’t even be an issue. Just take the darn corners and throw-on’s at the acceptable time.

    Secondly, I believe that the chickens are now coming home to roost regarding the Squads strength in depth. At the beginning of the last three seasons, I’ve read people on here saying how satisfied with Arsenal’s transfer activity they are. Granted not everyone obviously, but a fare number were claiming to be.

    I look at the squad and we maybe have 14 or 15 quality players, but the rest are just ordinary back-up players in my opinion.

    I’m sorry but I just can’t get excited at signings like Calafiori, Merino, and the loan of Sterling.

    That coupled with the underperforming players, Martinelli, Trossard, Odegaard, Rice, Havertz, and until recently Jesus.

    Although I will say that Arteta is a big part of this problem, with the way the team is being asked to play, and his silly timewasting tactics so early in games.

    Why he’s chose to be so negative compared to the last two seasons is beyond me TBH. With just a little tweak hear and a little tweak there, along with a better transfer window and this could have been the season we finally got our hands on the Premier League trophy.

    Something I fear is now beyond us for yet another season.

    I don’t know what fellow fans think, but here’s my hopes for the rest of the season, for what there worth.

    Number 1: Finish as high as we can in the League.

    Number 2: We have a chance of having a shot at the League Cup and FA Cup, and if we can get to the knock-out stages in the Champions league, then although I have my doubts about our chances in this competition, the one thing I will say is that in knock-out competitions there’s always a chance, because you just need to hit a purple patch and then who knows.

    My final point is, (and I know your all thinking thank goodness😉), I hope that Arteta frees the team up to play more free flowing football, If we are to lose games along the way, I’d rather lose playing attacking football than negative stuff.

    My apologies for going on. but I’ve now got it off my chest. (Thanks for reading).

    If anyone has been affected by what they’ve read, you can find the Samaritans number in a variety of ways.😂🤣😉👍

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