Arsenal have confirmed their starting XI for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium.
Mikel Arteta has restored several senior players following Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup victory over Ipswich Town, with Jurriën Timber making a significant return to the starting line-up.
Bruno Guimarães is also handed a start alongside Declan Rice, while Kai Havertz retains his place at centre-forward ahead of Viktor Gyökeres.
Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard and Christos Tzolis complete a strong attacking unit for the Premier League champions.
Timber returns to Arsenal starting XI
Timber’s inclusion is particularly significant after his recent injury problems.
The Netherlands international only recently returned from a lengthy groin lay-off and was deliberately left out of the squad against Ipswich in midweek as Arsenal managed his workload.
He was then pictured during Friday’s final training session, providing the clearest indication that he could be involved at Brighton.
Our latest Jurriën Timber update highlighted his return to training before the trip to the south coast.
Arteta has now gone further by putting Timber straight into the starting XI.
He lines up alongside Ezri Konsa, Gabriel Magalhães and Riccardo Calafiori, with David Raya returning in goal.
Guimarães starts as Gyökeres remains on bench
There is also a significant midfield call.
Guimarães starts alongside Rice after making an impact from the bench in Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Sunderland.
Martin Zubimendi is named among the substitutes.
Further forward, Havertz continues to lead the attack.
Gyökeres remains on the bench, with Arteta sticking with the German alongside Saka and Tzolis.
That was the attacking combination we backed in our Arsenal predicted XI against Brighton, which correctly forecast all 11 starters.
Confirmed Arsenal XI vs Brighton
Arsenal: Raya; Timber, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Guimarães; Saka, Ødegaard, Tzolis; Havertz.
Substitutes: Arrizabalaga, Hincapié, Eze, Gyökeres, Madueke, Merino, Zubimendi, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman.
Arsenal arrive at the Amex with a perfect Premier League record and face a Brighton side that have already scored 13 league goals this season.
We have examined why Brighton’s attack represents Arsenal’s toughest defensive test yet, placing added importance on Timber’s return.
Supporters can find all viewing information in our Brighton vs Arsenal TV channel, live stream and kick-off guide.
Kick-off at the Amex Stadium is at 3pm.
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