Arsenal predicted line-up vs Brighton: two key changes made as £87m duo earn starts

This weekend’s round of games will begin with a thrilling encounter between two teams that have won both of their opening league games this season. If you include Brighton’s League Cup win over Crawley, it’s been a brilliant start to the season for the Seagulls. Not many predicted they would beat Manchester United, but they did, adding to their win at Everton.

However, they now face an Arsenal side that has beaten Aston Villa at Villa Park. Mikel Arteta’s side know that their next two games are against teams that will be competing for the title, so a win here before the international break is incredibly pivotal. In recent campaigns, the Seagulls have been a thorn in Arsenal’s side, but the Gunners did do the double over them last season.

Arsenal Team News: The Gunners have quietly strengthened their squad, adding Mikel Merino, who was signed for £31.6 million this week. He is in the squad, and Gabriel Jesus, who missed the win at Villa, did not train on Thursday but is expected to return to the starting eleven.

Brighton Team News: Solly March is ruled out, but Evan Ferguson and Pervis Estupiñán hope to feature after returning from injury, with the left-back appearing off the bench in the cup.

Arsenal Predicted Team:

Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Odegaard, Partey, Rice, Saka, Havertz, Jesus.

Brighton Predicted Team:

Steele; Veltman, Dunk, Van Hecke, Kadioglu; Milner, Gilmour; Minteh, Pedro, Mitoma; Welbeck.

On Transfer Deadline Day:

Arsenal will hope for a quiet day in terms of outgoings, but there is likely to be news on Eddie Nketiah, who has agreed personal terms with Crystal Palace and is getting closer to bringing his more than nine-year stay at the Emirates to an end. There are also links to goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, who is looking to leave for regular game time, so Arteta will be preparing for this game with the undeniable distraction of the next 48 hours.