It’s Freddie’s first home game, and would it be a sound win? Or will it end up as stony as Brighton’s beach?
We ended this game 1-1 in the latter part of last season – and arguably this led to Emery’s downfall. Or at the least, it was a major catalyst in fans turning against him.
However, Emery has gone, and Freddie is in for now. So it’s his time to stamp his authority on things.
His first home game is an opportune time to shine.
Our top-four rivals, namely the Lillywhite mob, Man United, Wolves, Palace, and Sheffield United, all had mixed results in the mid-week fixtures. United beat Spurs, and the Lillywhites are only a point above us. A win vs. Brighton would secure a closer push to the top four for now. Man United’s win, even with all the hate Sojskjaer is incurring, means they are now in the top four shuffles.
The line-up vs. Norwich City raised eyebrows, and we can only speculate which team Freddie will layout here.
Will Mustafi start again? Luiz? Will Tierney start?
I can see some defensive changes, though I believe the attacking threats of Auba, Laca, and Pepe may all start too.
As for the approach, we cannot discount Brighton. They have established themselves as a credible PL force since their promotion a few years ago, and they did well at Anfield despite losing lately. So in a way, they will be a handful for us, since Liverpool naturally is a better side than we are at the moment. Brighton will know how to expose our defensive frailities, and we cannot discount them at all.
Approach
If anticipating what Freddie will do here, I believe it would be to attack and press them.
Our defence is still weak – and it will be interesting to see what improvements he’d make to them game to game.
But as we’re at home, and he’s here in part to instill more confidence, then I think an attacking line-up should suffice here:
This is speculative of course, but then I have no love nor time for Luiz though playing him in a deeper midfield role could ensure we retain the ball better and allow Torreira to sit in deeper.
Willock can be the driver from midfield, and Pepe, Auba, and Laca can all interchange upfront.
Holding should be fit enough to start, and Sokratis whilst not being stellar should start this game. Brighton isn’t physical, but we need sometimes the “dark defensive arts” from time to time.
As Bellerin is injured, Chambers should start at full-back. And there’s little reason why Tierney cannot return.
Ozil isn’t starting here, but then I feel the midfield is important and surety there is paramount. Teams now how to play us, and we’re generally soft in the midfield.
As an alternative, Ozil can play with Luiz replaced for Willock or Guendouzi. Guendouzi has been overplayed somewhat, but it’s imperative we get this midfield structure on point. It’s our major Achilles Heel at the moment, and it’s time this was corrected for us to progress. I would be shocked if Potter doesn’t get his Seagulls to expose this, as have many other sides this season.
As for Pepe, Freddie should be playing to his strengths more. We need to get the ball to his feet and allow him to beat opposing players. I do think he has much to offer us – but then we need to help him as much as him helping himself. The comments Freddie made about his training application were worrying. Though I believe he can be honed into a top player for in years to come. Surely it’s primed now for Pepe to shine, and for Freddie to start the process.
With some favourable results earlier in the week and the fact it’s been a while since we won a league game, let’s make Brighton feel as stony as their beach.
Prediction
Arsenal 2-1 Brighton
I feel we may concede. And it’s been a long while since we last kept a clean sheet. However, a win at home would do well to restore confidence, and should we win we’ll be sixth at the least.
MarbleHallsTV is an Arsenal social media account on Twitter, Facebook and Youtube. Been a Gooner since the 90s, inspired by Ian Wright, then Bergkamp, Vieira, Henry, Pires, Campbell, Rosicky, Koscielny, Ozil and Sanchez. A digital marketer/entrpreneur by profession, born in UK living in the Americas now.
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