Arsenal will be travelling to the Amex Stadium to clash with Brighton And Hove Albion for their Premier League fixture on Sunday afternoon. It is an away fixture for the Gunners – an issue that needs to be harped on because of the woeful record they currently hold in the league as a top-4 contender.
With just 13 points in 14 away games, Arsene Wenger’s side holds the 9th best record in the league while playing outside of the Emirates. But judging by the performances they are putting up in recent times their home record is under equal turmoil.
The club is in shambles after registering back-to-back 3-0 losses to Manchester City, one in the Carabo Cup final and the next in Thursday’s Premier League fixture at home. Club legend, Thierry Henry was at a loss for words when asked to describe the demise of his former boss and Jamie Carragher along with a host of Arsenal faithful asked for Wenger to leave the club.
The climate at Emirates have turned toxic and the unrest has spread across the majority of the club supporters. Wenger might not have faced a more difficult period in his managerial career and things will have to start changing real soon if he plans on not only keep his job but for the fans to get behind him for another season.
7 losses in just 2 months of 2018 is not an ideal record for a club who are supposed to be challenging for major honours. Now their only priority is to win the Europa League fixture now that the gap behind Chelsea in the 6th spot has been extended to 8 points.
The chase is not mathematically impossible but unlikely. The team needs to lift themselves out of this rut and bounce back to winning ways. The season can still be salvaged but only if a complete turnaround of effort and confidence is showcased in this game on Sunday.
Here is how Arsenal might lineup on gameday.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Defence
Petr Cech will lead the defence line from the goalkeeping position. He should find himself fielded behind the likes of Hector Bellerin, Shkodran Mustafi, Laurent Koscielny and Sead Kolasinac.
Midfield
Granit Xhaka and Aaron Ramsey are expected to fill up the holding midfield role with Mesut Ozil, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Alex Iwobi in front of the duo.
Attack
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is still the first choice number nine with Alexandre Lacazette currently sidelined with a knee injury. Danny Welbeck might make a substitute appearance.
