Arsenal predicted lineup vs Brighton: Granit Xhaka farewell?

Arsenal host Brighton in the Premier League for the final fixture of the 2020/21 season, one that will be met with welcome relief after a season to forget, while equally unforgettable, concludes. Here is the predicted lineup.

This is not the way this season was supposed to pan out. Duh. No Champions League qualification; no Europa League qualification; no silverware; not much to be joyous about. There is nothing left to play for, right?

Wrong! It may not seem like much in the grand scheme of things, but seventh is still within Arsenal’s sights, a finish that would result in a spot in the play-off rounds of the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League. We’re still eagerly awaiting what the competition’s jingle will be.

Beyond that is St. Totteringham’s Day. You’d be forgiven for forgetting what that was considering it hasn’t happened for a painfully long five years, but it’s still very much and thing and celebrating it is the best possible way to end a miserable campaign.

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Arsenal predicted lineup vs Brighton: Granit Xhaka and Martin Odegaard to return for final Premier League fixture of 2020/21?

Calls for Mikel Arteta to hand Premier League debuts to some of the academy stars may sound inviting, but there are three points to secure here and 10,000 attending supporters to satisfy. The manager won’t want to deviate too greatly from a winning formula.

In defence there is a sneaky chance that David Luiz could return from his hamstring injury to bid his Arsenal farewells in the starting lineup, the only confirmed departee of a squad brimming with likely exits.

Sadly there is no fairytale fitness comeback for Hector Bellerin, who despite no being confirmed to leave, is most definitely going to leave. He should get the send off his wonderful service deserves.

In midfield Granit Xhaka made his comeback off the bench in the 3-1 win over Crystal Palace, putting him in good stead to make his first start since pulling up in the warm-up just prior to the Villarreal draw.

Mat Ryan can’t feature due to loan agreements so there is expected to be a place on the bench for Arthur Okonkwo, while the substitutes may see appearances for Folarin Balogun and Miguel Azeez.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Bernd Leno (GK) – There would have been scope for Ryan to start were it not for the obvious drawback, and while Okonkwo should get a spot on the bench he won’t be handed his debut for this one.

Calum Chambers (RB) – No Bellerin means it will be Chambers to start as he did in midweek. While Cedric Soares definitely does still exist, he doesn’t in the eyes of Arteta it seems and another bench warming session is set to arrive for the Portuguese who could be out the door this summer.

Rob Holding (CB) – A spot in the starting lineup will surely come too soon for Luiz who will be pushing for a start, and were it a European tie with five substitutes allowed there could be scope to bring him on later, but that isn’t the case. Holding actually hit a couple of delicious diagonals at Selhurst Park and a few more of those would be welcome.

Gabriel (CB) – Were it Pablo Mari who started on Wednesday then it could be that the Spaniard would get another nod. Yet it does now seem that Arteta is ready to trust his talent and play the man the club spent big money on with Gabriel due for another start. He too hit a couple of sexy cross-field passes against Palace, and his recovery run to stop Wilfried Zaha was a joy to watch.

Kieran Tierney (LB) – Xhaka, anyone? Of course not, this is where the only left-back at the club comes in and plays left-back. Hardly an almighty shock.