[4-3-3]: Lewis-Skelly starts, Partin midfield and Nwaneri’s position changed- Arsenal predicted lineup against Brighton as Arteta gives Nwaneri extra role after impressive performance against Brentford
Arsenal will look to keep the pressure on Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table when they travel to face Brighton on Saturday.
The Gunners made it four wins in a row in all competitions in midweek as they came from behind to win 3-1 against Brentford.
The win moved Mikel Arteta’s side six points behind Liverpool and they could cut that gap to just three before Arne Slot’s side face Manchester United on Sunday.
Brighton, meanwhile, are winless in their last seven league fixtures, although the Seagulls have lost just twice during that run.
Ahead of their win against Brentford, Arsenal were handed a blow as Kai Havertz missed out entirely due to illness.
Speaking after the game, Arteta revealed that a sickness bug had affected the camp but was confident that the German would be fit to return against Brighton.
‘I think so yes [he will be fit], I think he will recover very quickly,’ Arteta said.
In Havertz’s absence, Ethan Nwaneri made his first Premier League start and the teenager could continue on the right wing at the weekend after his impressive display.
Mikel Merino was also parachuted into the starting lineup as Declan Rice was rested due to a knock.
The Englishman came on as a late second-half substitute and will hope to prove his fitness to play from the start on Saturday.
Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli both got on the scoresheet on Wednesday and will be expected to be part of the attacking trio once more as Arsenal deal with a number of injuries to their front line.
Bukayo Saka is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines having undergone hamstring surgery, while Raheem Sterling is working his way back to full fitness having picked up a knee injury in training just before Christmas.
In defence, Riccardo Calafiori made his first start since late November following a spell out with injury.
The Italian has endured an injury-affected start to his life at Arsenal and could be rotated for Myles Lewis-Skelly at the weekend if Arteta wants to ease the Italian back in gently.
Arsenal will have to make one change, though, with Jurrien Timber suspended for Saturday’s clash after he picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Brentford.
