After facing the Seagulls, Arsenal will travel to Anfield to face Liverpool before taking on West Ham on December 28. They will then round off the year with a tough trip to in-form Fulham.
To make matters more difficult they will have to do so without Jurrien Timber, Fabio Vieira, Thomas Partey and Takehiro Tomiyasu, even if there was the boost that Mohamed Elneny is expected back relatively soon.
Regardless of that Arteta has to get this line-up right in order to close the gap and maybe even overtake Premier League leaders Liverpool. Thankfully for him, football.london's writers are on hand to help and below is who they think should start for Arsenal against Luton.
Kaya Kaynak - Chief Arsenal writer
Aaron Ramsdale may have played to a much higher standard against PSV than he did against Brentford, but it's hard to see how David Raya doesn't come back in for this one.
With the limited numbers at the back the defence more or less picks itself. You would understand if Jakub Kiwior was chosen for his defensive solidity against the tricky wingers that Brighton have but you've got to expect Alex Zinchenko to come back in.
Brighton's ability in midfield means that there is certainly a temptation to play Jorginho. I think with it being a home game though, you've got to take the initiative and play two attacking midfielders in Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard.
Up front meanwhile, although Leandro Trossard will be extra motivated against his old club, I think you have to play Gabriel Martinelli. Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah were good up front in Holland meanwhile, but you've got to go for Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka in a game like this.
Kaynak's Arsenal XI vs Brighton - Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Rice, Havertz, Odegaard; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.
Aaron Catterson-Reid - Trends writer
Despite losing at Villa Park, Arsenal will be pleased with the way they performed, dominating the lionshare of possession whilst also creating more clear-cut chances. Therefore, it makes sense to go with the same line-up on Sunday afternoon, with a front three of Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli picking itself - even if they haven't be firing recently.
A trifecta of Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice is also the most balanced Mikel Arteta can field currently, with Thomas Partey still sidelined due to injury. If Jurrien Timber or Takehiro Tomiyasu were fit, it would make sense to field them at left-back given Oleksandr Zinchenko's recent sloppiness in possession.
But injuries to the two defensive stalwarts means Arteta has little choice but to continue with the Ukraine international in his favoured inverted role.
Catterson-Reid's Arsenal XI vs Brighton - Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Rice, Havertz, Odegaard; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.
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