Arsenal are on the South Coast to take on Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium this afternoon.
The Gunners have made a faultless start to the new season having won all their games in all competition so far. A 4-2 win over Ipswich Town in the EFL Cup on Wednesday night came after a hard fought 2-0 win over Sunderland last weekend.
That victory saw Arsenal climb above Manchester City to lead the Premier League table on goal difference with both clubs sitting on 12 points from their four games. Arsenal will be looking to move three clear with a win today.
Mikel Arteta has made nine changes from the side that started against Ipswich in midweek. No.1 goalkeeper David Raya replaces Kepa Arrizabalaga between the sticks while Riccardo Calafiori is recalled at left-back with Myles Lewis-Skelly making way.
Ezri Konsa comes in to partner Gabriel Magalhaes in defence meaning Marli Salmon drops out despite his excellent display on Wednesday. Jurrien Timber returns to start at right-back but Ben White is ruled out with a knock.
Bruno Guimaraes keeps his place in midfield after an excellent performance against Sunderland last weekend. Declan Rice returns after being rested against Ipswich while Martin Odegaard captains the Gunners today. Max Dowman drops to the bench along with Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi.
Bukayo Saka was given the night off in midweek but he’s back to start on the right wing. Christos Tzolis is also recalled so Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke make way.
Viktor Gyokeres endured a torrid time against Ipswich Town so it’s no surprise he drops out with Kai Havertz recalled to lead the line up front.
As for Brighton, they’re without captain Lewis Dunk so Luka Vuskovic starts alongside Pascal Struijk in defence.
Here are the confirmed line-ups:
Brighton
Verbruggen; Kadioglu, Vuskovic, Struijk, Boscagli; Chema, Ayari; Gomez, Gross, De Cuyper; Kostoulas
Subs: Steele, Hadjam, Costinha, Svoboda, O’Riley, Yalcouyé, Rutter, David, Osman
Arsenal
Raya; Timber, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Guimaraes; Saka, Odegaard, Tzolis; Havertz
Subs: Arrizabalaga, Hincapie, Eze, Gyökeres, Madueke, Merino, Zubimendi, Lewis-Skelly,…..
