Arsenal vs Brighton predicted XI: Don’t expect anything major

Midfield

Even without Dani Ceballos, there are options here, though I think Ljungberg showed his hand with his first starting XI selection against Norwich. Granit Xhaka keeps his spot here, and people will complain, but that makes three managers now who have understood that Xhaka can be vital to the team, if he can just get back into the flow of things. So don’t moan about his involvement, but rather hope that he can get back into form.

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Matteo Guendouzi will keep his spot as well. He’s getting better and better and, in time, I could see him being the final piece to move Granit Xhaka out of the club (hold your applause). Guendouzi is really learning the ropes of being an everything midfielder and it’s coming along so nicely.

The remaining spot, which I’m pegging as a No. 10, goes to Mesut Ozil. Ozil had a slick first half against Norwich, completing 95% of his passes and creating four chances, but in the second half, he completely ghosted. He did next to nothing, and that, again, is typical Ozil. You see flashes of what he can do and, in close proximity, you remember that he isn’t reliable.

This is not a midfield that you can count on to run the show. There are a lot of variables here, and that makes for some hesitation. But the talent is there too.

The front three is coming up next.