As Arsenal prepare to face Brighton & Hove Albion on New Year’s Eve, we reckon Mikel Arteta will make just one change to his line-up, as part of our predicted XI.
Arteta has a number of selection dilemmas on his hand ahead of the Gunners’ trip to the Amex.
For starters, Arsenal defender William Saliba has received four yellow cards in the Premier League so far, and is just a booking away from being handed a one-match suspension.
While that is not the end of the world, the league leaders face an in-form Newcastle United side after Brighton.
Furthermore, it will be interesting to see whether Mikel Arteta starts Oleksandr Zinchenko, who was brought on late into the game in the side’s latest win against West Ham.
Apart from that, it seems as if the Arsenal line-up against Brighton could be a relatively simple predicted XI to call.
Arsenal predicted XI vs Brighton & Hove Albion
As is always the case in Premier League fixtures, Aaron Ramsdale will keep his place in between the sticks against Roberto De Zerbi’s men.
At right-back, it is almost impossible to displace Ben White, who has been imperious for Arsenal all season.
With Brighton being a tricky opponent and Takehiro Tomiyasu’s fitness being up in the air, we reckon William Saliba gets the nod, despite the risk of suspension.
Gabriel Magalhaes, as is standard procedure is likely to play alongside his partner-in-crime at the back.
Oleksandr Zinchenko, who looked at his typically comfortable best against the Hammers could get a run-out, with Kieran Tierney starting on the bench.
In the middle of the park, we expect no changes as the trio of Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka and Martin Odegaard, hailed as one of the best midfields in the Premier League by Darren Ambrose (via talkSPORT) remains unbreakable and for good reason.
The same goes for the front three, with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli being the most in-form wing pair in the country, while Eddie Nketiah proved his mettle with a sumptuous strike against West Ham.
We expect Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta to just make one change in our predicted XI for the clash against Brighton, as his side is simply firing on all cylinders.
Arsenal Predicted XI vs Brighton: Ramsdale, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard, Saka, Nketiah and Martinelli.
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