Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta will be keen on putting the disappointing defeat to Manchester City behind him when his side faces Brighton at the Amex tomorrow.

With Pablo Mari sidelined with an ankle injury, Sokratis out with a thigh strain and David Luiz suspended, it means Rob Holding is the only fit centre-back to partner Shkodran Mustafi.

Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney are likely to keep their places at fullback, although there is a case to be made for Bukayo Saka to come into the defence if he isn’t deployed further forward by Arteta once again.

In midfield, the absence of Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira due to injury means that Matteo Guendouzi and Dani Ceballos are almost certain to start.

Arteta’s admission that Mesut Ozil is not physically prepared to return to first-team action suggests that Joe Willock will continue to play in the most advanced role.

The forward line could well be changed after a disappointing display against City so Nicolas Pepe could replace Saka with Gabriel Martinelli coming in for Nketiah. That would allow captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to play in a central role.

Arsenal’s Predicted XI To Face Brighton:

Leno, Bellerin, Mustafi, Holding, Tierney, Ceballos, Willock, Guendouzi, Pepe, Aubameyang, Martinelli