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Arsenal host Brighton & Hove Albion at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon as Mikel Arteta’s side hope to claim another three points to remain on the tail of Manchester City. The race for the Premier League title is heating up, and with just three games remaining, the Gunners must win their remaining games to stay in with a chance of claiming their first title since 2004.
Sunday’s hosts sit just a point behind the current champions, who have a game in hand, with Guardiola’s side kicking off at 14:00, hours earlier than the showdown in north London. With every team battling for precious points at the closing stages of the season, Roberto De Zerbi’s side will be far from easy opposition.
Brighton have been an impressive side this season, however, were shocked in their last fixture, losing 1-5 at home to relegation-threatened Everton, in a game that stunned the table in true Premier League fashion. De Zerbi’s wounded team will be eager to get their form back at the Emirates, as they continue their quest for a top-five finish for a potential shot at European football next campaign.
The thrilling fixture will be available to viewers in the UK on Sky Sports, with kick off coming at 16:30 at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal Team News: Will Oleksandr Zinchenko Feature Against Brighton?
With Takehiro Tomiyasu and William Saliba both all-but ruled out for the season, further defensive injury concern came this week as The Athletic’s football correspondent David Ornstein revealed that Oleksandr Zinchenko had also been ruled out for the remainder of the season.
🚨 Arsenal defenders William Saliba + Oleksandr Zinchenko out for rest of season. Saliba has not recovered sufficiently from back injury & Zinchenko picked up calf problem at Newcastle. Better news is neither expected to require surgery @TheAthleticFC #AFC https://t.co/hYY55WcnYr
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) May 11, 2023
The Ukrainian is reportedly nursing a calf injury, however, was pictured in training with Arsenal ahead of Sunday’s game. The Gunners have reliable cover for the left-flank in Kieran Tierney, who has been desperate for game time this season following Zinchenko’s rise to form in the squad. The Scotsman replaced the versatile full-back after just 61 minutes played at St James’ during Arsenal’s 0-2 win against Newcastle United, sparking initial questions over his fitness.
The north Londoners have missed Saliba since his injury back in March, with Arteta speaking ahead of the Brighton game revealing that the centre-back would “not be fit for this game” and that the club were “doubting” whether he would be fit for the trip to Nottingham Forest either.
Away from injury talk, Arsenal may opt to introduce Leandro Trossard into the starting eleven, the former Brighton man is yet to lose when starting for the Gunners and could produce in attack ahead of the likes of Gabriel Martinelli or Gabriel Jesus. Meanwhile, Jorginho is expected to continue at the base of the Arsenal midfield instead of Thomas Partey.
Brighton Team News: Will Evan Ferguson Return to the Starting Eleven Against Arsenal?
Like Arteta, De Zerbi has been forced to make changes due to injuries plaguing his squad in the final moments of the season. The Italian revealed in his pre-match press conference that his side were “not in such good condition”, as two further injuries were picked up during the disappointing result against Everton.
Injuries to Solly March and Adam Webster took the Seagulls’ absentee count to seven, with Jakub Moder, Adam Lallana, Tariq Lamptey, Jeremy Sarmiento and Joel Veltman all currently sidelined. March, in particular, will be a big miss with the Englishman contributing to 14 of his side’s goals this campaign, scoring seven and assisting seven in 33 appearances.
BRIGHTON | Roberto De Zerbi has ruled Solly March OUT of Sunday's match.#FPL | #BHAFC 🕊️ pic.twitter.com/7J9vdj8VyV
— Fantasy Football Scout (@FFScout) May 12, 2023
A boost for the visitors comes with the potential return of Evan Ferguson to the starting eleven, the 18-year-old Irishman has been integral to the Seagull’s attack since his emergence to the first team, scoring four in 14 appearances so far. The young forward sustained an ankle injury at Wembley in April against Manchester United and was reintroduced from the bench at half time against the Toffees.
Words by Rosie Tudball
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