Arsenal predicted lineup vs Brighton: Will Nuno Tavares start in 4-2-3-1?

Arsenal have to bounce back immediately from the disappointment of Monday as they host struggling Brighton on Saturday. Here is the predicted lineup.

It’s all gone rather pear-shaped this week. An international break that had numerous high points for Arsenal players has morphed into an injury crisis and dreadful 3-0 away defeat. Mikel Arteta has a lot of work on his hands.

Perhaps the biggest decision of all is what to do at left-back. Kieran Tierney is out for the season and Nuno Tavares’ 45-minute return to the team against Crystal Palace featured errors in both goals and total lack of comfort in an intense Premier League environment.

The manager could field Granit Xhaka there, could also move to a back three, may move Cedric over and shift Benjamin White to right-back, or can stick with Nuno. If it isn’t the latter then his time at the club is surely over.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Brighton: Will Nuno Tavares start and will Arteta go to a 4-2-3-1 for Saturday’s Premier League clash?

With no Thomas Partey, also likely for the season, there will need to be a shuffle in midfield, too. Sambi Lokonga impressed in his cameo on Monday and is the obvious candidate to come in, but does that mean the return to a 4-2-3-1 or will Arteta stick with the 4-3-3?

There will be a reluctance to deviate to drastically from the formula that was integral to the form shown over the year. Equally, Sambi is not Partey, and entrusting him with the same responsibilities could be dangerous.

As for up front, even if Emile Smith Rowe wasn’t the worst player on the pitch last time out, Gabriel Martinelli was certainly one of the better ones having come on at half-time. If it is Nuno, though, then Smith Rowe might keep his place.

Having basked in the joys of a cemented starting lineup of late, it’s now all turned on its head.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – Surprisingly back in the team having recovered from a hip problem quicker than expected, he’ll be hoping for an easier day in between the sticks on Saturday.

Cedric Soares (RB) – Bullied throughout the Selhurst Park defeat, one of the saving graces for Cedric is that he wasn’t the worst defender on the pitch. With Tomiyasu out, he starts again.

Benjamin White (CB) – No defender had as much as a half-decent game against Palace, with White included in that statement.

Gabriel (CB) – Quite possibly his worst performance for Arsenal on Monday, the hope is that his newborn baby hasn’t kept him up all night and he lifts his game significantly for this one.

Nuno Tavares (LB) – The decision everyone is talking about.

Arteta stated that the decision to take Nuno off at half-time was tactical, and he seemed to be genuine even if he’d have known how poorly he performed. He needs everyone on board and he’s trusted Nuno before, so he’ll trust him again.

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