Arsenal travel to the south coast to take on Brighton, looking to avenge the frustrating drop of points after the controversial Declan Rice red card in the first meeting between the sides this season. It was a game that saw the first drop of points for the campaign for the club.

Win on Saturday and Arsenal will be two points better off after twenty league matches compared to the same stage last season. It will be tough of course, despite the Seagulls being winless in their last seven, but the side is in good form with Arsenal winning their last three league games, with the away trip to Brentford a particular highlight.

Arsenal will have had far less rest than Brighton, but hope to have some key players back. Mikel Arteta needs to get his selection right, but thankfully football.london’s writers have given their thoughts on the match.

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Tom Canton

The loss of Jurrien Timber is the most significant part of the line-up that must be addressed and while Mikel Arteta was positive about Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu, both are not ready to return just yet. It seems likely that while there will be resistance to it, Thomas Partey is destined to play the role with very little in terms of other options.

This allows Declan Rice back into the midfield and creates the least amount of upheaval in the team. Mikel Merino has earned a continuation but Kai Havertz remains an option for the role with Martin Odegaard looking to rediscover some top form.

Ethan Nwaneri too has earned his spot in the side. I have made little change to the team with only two coming in from the win over Brentford but that is with a League Cup match next week where there is certainly a need for changes.

Canton’s Arsenal XI vs Brighton: Raya, Partey, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Merino, Odegaard; Nwaneri, Jesus, Martinelli

Josh Holland

Arteta surprised many with his selection at Brentford and it paid off. Mikel Merino scored on his return to the starting XI and Ethan Nwaneri continued to impress in his first Premier League start.

It’s another tough test with Brighton. Havertz’s being back from illness could see the Gunners’ midfield change with Declan Rice fresh after being dropped to the bench at Brentford.

There is the option to put Havertz at centre-forward and push Gabriel Jesus out wide but the Brazilian was on the scoresheet once again. I think Leandro Trossard will return to the starting XI against his former team.

In defence, the suspension of Jurrien Timber means Arteta will have to change his backline. Thomas Partey’s good form means he would be my first choice at right-back and Lewis Myles-Skelly also gets the nod at left-back over Riccardo Calafiori.

Holland’s Arsenal XI vs Brighton: XI: Raya; Partey, Gabriel, Saliba, Myles-Skelly; Rice, Odegaard, Havertz; Martinelli, Jesus, Trossard

Lee Wilmot

Mikel Arteta has injury issues to contend with, meaning his Arsenal team is easier to pick than it might otherwise have been, although there are a few tricky calls to make.

David Raya obviously starts in goal and ahead of him, there should be a defence of Thomas Partey (in Timber's suspension absence), Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba and Riccardo Calafiori in my opinion. Calafiori may only just be coming back from injury, but this is a tough game and you need your strongest defence.

Declan Rice should come into the team and I'm going to play him alongside Mikel Merino, with Martin Odegaard also in there. Merino's goal threat and aerial ability could be just what's required against the Seagulls.

Then up top, Ethan Nwaneri deserves another start in Bukayo Saka's place, with Gabriel Jesus through the middle and Gabriel Martinelli on the other side. Kai Havertz is a great option from the bench.

Wilmot's Arsenal XI vs Brighton: Raya; Partey, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Merino, Odegaard; Nwaneri, Jesus, Martinelli.