Ethan Nwaneri decision made as £42million man drops out: Arsenal predicted XI v Brighton

01/04/2025 01:15 AM

Arsenal will look to make it five wins in a row in all competitions when they head to Brighton & Hove Albion for Saturday’s late Premier League kick-off.

The Gunners are enjoying a solid season as they remain firmly in Premier League title contention and are also doing well in the Champions League and Carabao Cup.

Arsenal will be taking on a Brighton outfit eager to bring an end to their seven-game winless run in the top flight.

TBR Football looks at who Mikel Arteta could name in the Arsenal starting XI for the 5:30pm kick-off at the Amex Stadium.

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Arsenal team news v Brighton

Mikel Arteta expects Kai Havertz to return to the Arsenal matchday squad against Brighton after missing the win over Brentford due to illness.

Gunners defender Jurrien Timber serves a one-match ban, while Raheem Sterling, Bukayo Saka, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu remain out.

"He's starting to do some stuff on the pitch, so that's great news," Arteta said about Sterling. "As quickly as possible we want him available.

"Let's see how he progresses next week and then see if we can get him available for the following week."

Riccardo Calafiori and Ethan Nwaneri tipped to drop out for Arsenal at Brighton

Timber’s suspension means Thomas Partey is likely to cover at right-back, while Myles Lewis-Skelly could return at left-back for Riccardo Calafiori.

The £42million man started his first match in a month at Brentford after recovering from a groin injury, so Arteta may not want him to over-exert himself.

Partey's move to right-back would see Declan Rice return to the starting line-up after he was left on the bench against Brentford due to a knock.

Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino are likely to start either side of Rice, while Havertz should be back to lead the line after missing out against the Bees.

Though Ethan Nwaneri did well last time out, Arteta may look to rest him for the Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle United.

With that in mind, Gabriel Martinelli is likely to start on the right flank while Leandro Trossard gets the nod against his former employers.

Arsenal predicted XI v Brighton (4-3-3): Raya; Partey, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Rice, Merino; Martinelli, Havertz, Trossard