In Freddie Ljungberg's first home game as Arsenal interim Head Coach, the Gunners welcome a steadily improving Brighton and Hove Albion to the Emirates for an odd Thursday night league clash.
More dropped points last weekend against Norwich meant it is wasn't an ideal start for Ljungberg but change doesn't happen overnight. Scoring goals is there but leaking them at the back through woeful defending still steals the headlines. Falling behind isn't just a happening though it's a mentaility that the players need to manage and improve on. That being said, we saw more in the transition against Norwich and at home, with probably more possession, it will be an important part of the game tonight. Xhaka's return improved tempo going forward but going the other way, it was still as loose as its been of late.
We saw Freddie opt for young Saka over Pepe from the bench and Willock get the nod to start which neither are surprising. He knows exactly what he'll get from the young crop more so than the experienced pros at this stage. However, at home tonight it is likely to take a different turn with a more extensive attacking line up. Mesut Ozil should come back into central areas to dictate and control Arsenal's game. Whilst both Lacazette and Aubameyang could start together again. In midfield, Dani Ceballos remains the only absentee from the first team picture but with games coming thick and fast, Ljungberg's midfield could shape up in several different ways.
In defence, Hector Bellerin could return to the starting fold after this come back to full training earlier this week. Calum Chambers is far more suited to centre back or holding midfield and the more he gets shoehorned into playing right back, the more his confidence will take a beating. Its almost as on par as Emery playing Granit Xhaka in holding midfield...a disaster. The fantastic Bernd Leno continues to impress in goal behind an incredibly poor defensive line that could see further changes tonight. Kieran Tierney and Rob Holding to name just two, are pushing for a recall.
The visitors, buoyed by the contract extension of Manager Graham Potter have built an identity and a footballing blueprint to live by. Its working too as they have proved when swapping in players for outgoers yet not enduring any drop in levels. Yes, Brighton don't often take points off the big teams but what they do well is get points and wins from the games they should do. Goalkeeper Mat Ryan is arguably in the form of his life too so Aubameyang and co will have a real job on their finding the net tonight.
Expected lineup:
GK: Bernd Leno
RB: Hector Bellerin
CB: Calum Chambers
CB: David Luiz
LB: Kieran Tierney
CM: Granit Xhaka
CM: Lucas Torreira
CAM: Mesut Ozil
RW: Gabriel Martinelli
ST: Alex Lacazette
LW: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Prediction: a nervy 2-1 win where another clean sheet goes begging.
@craigbennett10
More dropped points last weekend against Norwich meant it is wasn't an ideal start for Ljungberg but change doesn't happen overnight. Scoring goals is there but leaking them at the back through woeful defending still steals the headlines. Falling behind isn't just a happening though it's a mentaility that the players need to manage and improve on. That being said, we saw more in the transition against Norwich and at home, with probably more possession, it will be an important part of the game tonight. Xhaka's return improved tempo going forward but going the other way, it was still as loose as its been of late.
We saw Freddie opt for young Saka over Pepe from the bench and Willock get the nod to start which neither are surprising. He knows exactly what he'll get from the young crop more so than the experienced pros at this stage. However, at home tonight it is likely to take a different turn with a more extensive attacking line up. Mesut Ozil should come back into central areas to dictate and control Arsenal's game. Whilst both Lacazette and Aubameyang could start together again. In midfield, Dani Ceballos remains the only absentee from the first team picture but with games coming thick and fast, Ljungberg's midfield could shape up in several different ways.
In defence, Hector Bellerin could return to the starting fold after this come back to full training earlier this week. Calum Chambers is far more suited to centre back or holding midfield and the more he gets shoehorned into playing right back, the more his confidence will take a beating. Its almost as on par as Emery playing Granit Xhaka in holding midfield...a disaster. The fantastic Bernd Leno continues to impress in goal behind an incredibly poor defensive line that could see further changes tonight. Kieran Tierney and Rob Holding to name just two, are pushing for a recall.
The visitors, buoyed by the contract extension of Manager Graham Potter have built an identity and a footballing blueprint to live by. Its working too as they have proved when swapping in players for outgoers yet not enduring any drop in levels. Yes, Brighton don't often take points off the big teams but what they do well is get points and wins from the games they should do. Goalkeeper Mat Ryan is arguably in the form of his life too so Aubameyang and co will have a real job on their finding the net tonight.
Expected lineup:
GK: Bernd Leno
RB: Hector Bellerin
CB: Calum Chambers
CB: David Luiz
LB: Kieran Tierney
CM: Granit Xhaka
CM: Lucas Torreira
CAM: Mesut Ozil
RW: Gabriel Martinelli
ST: Alex Lacazette
LW: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Prediction: a nervy 2-1 win where another clean sheet goes begging.
@craigbennett10
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