The Gunners welcome struggling Brighton to North London tomorrow knowing that if things go the visitors' way today then they may end up safe before the game even starts, leaving Arsenal as the only ones with anything left to fight for. However, with only three days' break since that intense match against Valencia, will Emery ring the changes?
There are no new injury concerns from Thursday but having watched Laurent Koscielny battle through a difficult eighty-odd minutes, it's likely he'll get a rest. Nacho Monreal returned to fitness and replaced Koscielny in defence, after missing a game through injury so he'll be the debutante once again. After a surprisingly good performance from Mustafi against Valencia, he could keep his place in what will almost certainly be a back three again. Ainsley Maitland-Niles misses out due to a red card suspension so Carl Jenkinson could come into the right wing back spot.
Lucas Torreira started Thursday from the bench so he could see a starting spot in midfield tomorrow. One of Iwobi or Mkhitaryan is likely to come into the XI in place of Aubameyang or Lacazette, as its unlikely Emery will start both his star strikers again with Valencia to come in just four days. He could but we've seen before that Emery is one to ring changes more often than not. Leno will return in goal that's for sure and he'll be looking for a home clean to add to his impressive run of personal form.
Brighton travel to London knowing that they could be safe come tonight if Cardiff don't win today. Nothing like this will affect Brighton's physical preparations for battling Arsenal but come kick off and the game itself, the psychological side of the players could be dramatically different. There could be a drop of relief or worse, there could be a pressure to get something from the Gunners. Either way, things play into Arsenal's hands a little, as it's win win win and nothing else for the hosts. Nothing changes that, whether Chelsea drop points or not. There pressure is on for both so we should see a cracker.
Expected lineup:
GK: Bernd Leno
CB: Shkodran Mustafi
CB: Sokratis
CB: Nacho Monreal
RWB: Carl Jenkinson
CM: Matteo Guendouzi
CM: Lucas Torreira
LWB: Sead Kolasinac
RAM: Alex Iwobi
LAM: Mesut Ozil
ST: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Prediction: 3-0 to the Gunners on what should be comfortable day of the office.
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