Arsenal are gunning for a European spot next season as they take on Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday in the final matchday of the 2020/21 Premier League campaign. The Gunners are currently dawdling at ninth place, but with four back to back victories, they are one of the most in-form teams in the division and could potentially seal a place in the European Conference League, if results do go in their favour this weekend.
Predicted Arsenal Lineup Vs Brighton
Defence
Given that this is a must-win encounter for Arsenal, Mikel Arteta will think twice before experimenting with any youngster in this final game of the campaign. As such, we expect him to field the strongest possible eleven, starting from defence where Rob Holding and Gabriel Magalhaes are favourites after their success in the past couple of matches.
Calum Chambers is another guaranteed starter, as he continues at right-back. He will assume a relatively deeper role, looking to aid the centre-backs while Kieran Tierney, on the opposite flank, is likely to be given the freedom to march forward, especially after registering an assist in the win over Crystal Palace.
There shouldn’t be any changes in goal either, with Bernd Leno getting the nod ahead of Mat Ryan. It will be the German’s last league game before he joins Die Mannschaft camp for the upcoming Euros.
Midfield
Mohamed Elneny has emerged as the preferred option for Arteta in the past few matches. It won’t be surprising to see him retain his place in the side, although we predict the return of Granit Xhaka in the Arsenal midfield.
The Swiss international should renew his partnership with Thomas Partey in the double-pivot, with the latter hoping to end the campaign on a positive note after a disappointing first season in England.
Attack
It will be interesting to see whether Arteta opts to make any changes in the attack, given that they did make a nice impression in the last few matches. Bukayo Saka is a shoo-in on the right flank while Nicolas Pepe’s tremendous display against Crystal Palace also makes him a guaranteed starter on the opposite flank.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang should spearhead the frontline, too, despite pressure from Alexandre Lacazette. And finally, Arteta might persist with Emile Smith Rowe in the number ten position, ahead of Martin Odegaard, who might just be playing his final game for the club this weekend.
