4-2-3-1 Arsenal's predicted line-up vs Brighton: Pepe & Lacazette to return?

Arsenal suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Manchester City in midweek but they will have no time to lament as they take on Brighton away from home on Saturday.

The Gunners not only lost the match to City but they were also struck with a series of injury blows meaning it will be impossible for Mikel Arteta to rest some of his key players.

Brighton have failed to win their last 9 Premier League matches and right now they are 15th on the league table but with the kind of form that Arsenal are in right now, Graham Potter will surely be fancying his chances on Saturday. Mikel Arteta will rest a few players in order to keep his squad fit for the rest of the campaign but the defensive area will be a real cause of concern for the Arsenal manager.

Bernd Leno was in top form vs Man City and the keeper will reprise his role during the weekend but the Arsenal boss will have to tinker with his defensive line now that both Mari and David Luiz have been ruled out.

Mari suffered a possible calf injury in midweek and was replaced by David Luiz. But the Brazilian did not last very long as he was shown a red card just four minutes into the second half.

This means Shkodran Mustafi will be partnered by Sokratis in central defence in midweek while Hector Bellerin reprises his role at right-back.

Kieran Tierney put in a fine shift vs Manchester City but the youngster could be rested vs Brighton in which case Sead Kolasinac will come into the side and slip into the left-back role.

Xhaka picked up an injury just seven minutes into the match and had to be replaced by Ceballos and the Real Madrid loanee should be named in the starting XI vs the Seagulls alongside Matteo Guendouzi.

Joe Willock played in the attacking midfielder's role vs City but Mesut Ozil should be back in the line-up after the German was left out of the matchday squad at the Etihad.

Academy graduates Bukayo Saka and Nketiah could be rested as Nicolas Pepe and Martinelli are expected to come into the side during the weekend.

This would mean Aubameyang will move to the left flank while Martinelli operates upfront. Lacazette should start on the bench once again and will come on as a second-half substitute.

UPDATE: Sokratis is also ruled out with an injury meaning Rob Holding will play as the second centre-back alongside Mustafi.

Predicted starting line-up: Bernd Leno; Bellerin, Mustafi, Sokratis/Holding, Tierney/Kolasinac; Guendouzi, Dani Ceballos, Mesut Ozil; Aubameyang, Martinelli, Pepe.

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