Arsenal travel to the south coast to take on Brighton, looking to avenge the frustrating drop of points after the controversial Declan Rice red card in the first meeting between the sides this season. It was a game that saw the first drop of points for the campaign for the club.
Win on Saturday and Arsenal will be two points better off after twenty league matches compared to the same stage last season. It will be tough of course, despite the Seagulls being winless in their last seven, but the side is in good form with Arsenal winning their last three league games, with the away trip to Brentford a particular highlight.
Arsenal will have had far less rest than Brighton, but hope to have some key players back.
Tom Canton
The loss of Jurrien Timber is the most significant part of the line-up that must be addressed and while Mikel Arteta was positive about Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu, both are not ready to return just yet. It seems likely that while there will be resistance to it, Thomas Partey is destined to play the role with very little in terms of other options.
This allows Declan Rice back into the midfield and creates the least amount of upheaval in the team. Mikel Merino has earned a continuation but Kai Havertz remains an option for the role with Martin Odegaard looking to rediscover some top form.
Ethan Nwaneri too has earned his spot in the side. I have made little change to the team with only two coming in from the win over Brentford but that is with a League Cup match next week where there is certainly a need for changes.
