Califiori dropped, Rice starts at right-back: 4-1-2-3 Predicted line-up vs Brighton

David Raya is expected to start in goal but after his clumsy first half show at Brentford, he does need to iron out the mistakes in his game if Arsenal are to mount a serious title challenge.

The Spaniard will have Gabriel and William Saliba infront of him as usual as the trio continue to hold the best defensive record in the Premier League.

This weekend’s biggest line-up decisions will come in the full-back positions. Timber’s absence due to yellow-card suspension will raise Arteta’s temptation to start Partey in the back four again.

However, if there is a midfielder more suited to that right-back role, it is Declan Rice. The Englishman is actually a better fit for that role due to his workrate, athleticism, tenacity and pace for overlapping, which are all attributes that Rice has over Partey.

Deciding to play Rice at right-back will also avoid a destruction of the team’s balance. After his magnificent display in midfield on Wednesday, it would be a real shame to see Partey depart his role to play as a right-back on Saturday.

Another important call will be to drop Califiori. The Italian’s defending has frankly not been convincing so far in his Arsenal career and that it is a truth which many have hardly admitted, even though the injuries which have kept him in and out of the team are not helpful either.

There have been several games this season (Leicester at home for example) where Califiori has been beaten by a winger too easily and his defending on that strike from Mbuemo was lacking at best, even though he was not the only one at fault for the Brentford goal.

Merino will be eager to get out there and play again after a decent display and a vital goal on Wednesday, while Odegaard remains one of the first names on the team sheet, regardless of how quiet he was in the last fixture.

My call for Ethan Nwaneri to start against Brentford was answered by Mikel Arteta and beautifully rewarded by the youngster. Many have now realized exactly why the 17-year-old has been tipped on several ocassions to be given the bow.

Gabriel Jesus has firmly placed himself in the starting eleven and Martinelli’s goalscoring exploits will do his chances no harm either.

PREDICTED TEAM

Raya

Rice – Saliba – Gabriel – Lewis-Skelly

Partey

Odegaard – Merino

Nwaneri – Jesus – Martinelli