How Arteta's clever tweaks could outwit Hurzelar's Brighton

 By Danong 

After the 2-1 London derby victory over Chelsea, every Arsenal fan was left thinking the same thing: nine games to go, and we are champions.

Now, after today's clash with Brighton at the American Express Stadium, a win would bring that dream even closer; just eight games away from being crowned English champions.

Arsenal go to this clash against the Seagulls brimming with confidence. Unbeaten in nine games across all competitions, seven wins and two draws, many simply cannot fathom that Brighton, who have failed to beat them in five successive meetings, will have what it takes to stop them this time around.

The last time the two sides squared off, Arsenal edged it 2-1, with Georginio Rutter's unfortunate own goal handing the North Londoners all three points. This time, however, Arsenal will not be looking for any such favours; they will be out to win fair and square.

With a near-full squad at his disposal, save for the injured Mikel Merino and a doubt hanging over Ben White, Arteta can afford to go ruthless with his selection. 

Martin Zubimendi has not been at his best of late. The Spaniard has struggled particularly with ball progression, repeatedly going missing in games despite being the player tasked with linking defence and attack.

Fatigue may well be a factor, and a spell on the bench could be exactly what he needs to rediscover his mojo. In his place, the experienced Christian Norgaard could step in and breathe new life into Arteta's engine room.

Meanwhile, Leandro Trossard did not have the best of evenings in the win over Chelsea. At one point, he appeared more influential than Gabriel Martinelli, yet perhaps now is the right moment to hand the Samba Star his opportunity, a chance to fire this Arsenal side towards league glory.

Beyond those two changes, this Arsenal line-up looks more than capable of taking Brighton apart. And one player worth keeping a close eye on is Timber. The Dutchman has been in scintillating form, directly contributing to goals in each of the last two matches with both a strike and an assist to his name.

Raya

Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie

Norgaard, Rice, Odegaard

Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli

The dilemma of choosing between Eze and Odegaard is a dilemma of which strategy to follow against Chelsea

By Danong and 1970s Gooner 

It is another London derby day, with the capital's heavyweights Arsenal and Chelsea renewing their rivalry at the Emirates Stadium.

Chelsea are fighting for a top-five slot, embroiled in a tough battle with Aston Villa, Liverpool and Manchester United. Arsenal, meanwhile, are desperate not to drop any more points at the summit, with Manchester City breathing down their neck.

That said, the Gunners remain unbeaten in 11 games across all competitions in this fixture and Chelsea have not beaten us since August 2021. 

Since taking over not so long ago, Rosenior has given this Chelsea side a genuine new lease of life. They look rejuvenated and have gone unbeaten in their last six league outings. 

Even so, for all their recent resilience in the league, they have already fallen to Arsenal twice this calendar year, the Gunners knocking them out of the Carabao Cup semi-finals after beating them home and away.

Mikel Arteta will be hoping to make it three from three against Rosenior, though to do so, the Spanish tactician must manage without some key personnel.

Injured Mikel Merino is of course out of this one whilst Kai Havertz and Max Dowman, who are back from injury, could yet feature, but neither is likely to be risked.

Even so, Arteta can still assemble a formidable line-up, and could well field this team:

Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice, Eze; Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard

The inclusion of Eze will point towards a more aggressive and full of tempo start for Arsenal in the game as it transpired at Tottenham last time out.

Odegaard will likely come on later in the game to instil more control.

Chelsea, for their part, go to north London without several key figures of their own; Wesley Fofana, Estevao and Marc Cucurella are all absent, and will certainly need a strong performance and a measure of fortune to contain this Arsenal side.

All that said, Viktor Gyokeres is undoubtedly the player to watch. In the kind of form he is currently in (a brace against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend) taking him to five goals since the end of January, Chelsea's defenders face a stern examination at the Emirates.