Torreira and Ozil start, Predicted Arsenal lineup (4-2-3-1) vs Brighton & Hove Albion

Arsenal will entertain Brighton & Hove Albion at the Emirates Stadium in Thursday’s Premier League encounter. Interim boss Freddie Ljungberg could not guide the Gunners to a victory against Norwich City over the weekend and that extended the club’s winless streak to eight games.

On Thursday, Ljungberg has his first opportunity to exhibit his managerial skills at the Emirates and the Swede will be hoping that his team can show a greater enthusiasm and precision on the attack against Graham Potter’s side.

Predicted Lineup:

Bernd Leno was the standout performer in the 2-2 draw at Norwich where he made a string of top-notch saves in the second half to salvage a point for the Gunners. The German is expected to start in goal on Thursday and he will be hoping for better protection from the defenders ahead of him.

In the defence, there may be the solitary change with Kieran Tierney replacing Sead Kolasinac at left-back. Hector Bellerin remains a probable candidate to replace Calum Chambers on the right side of the backline but his participation remains doubtful at the moment.

In the centre of the park, Lucas Torreira deserves to make the starting lineup after a lively performance off the bench against the Canaries. The Uruguayan managed two tackles and two interceptions in just 22 minutes of play and his injury-time shot seemed destined to find the net before it was blocked.

Alongside him, Granit Xhaka could get the nod. The Switzerland international was culpable to a mistake which nearly cost the Gunners at Carrow Road. However, he still possesses strong distribution skills and is by far a better tackler compared to Matteo Guendouzi. The ex-Gunners captain and Torreira have generally impressed when they have played together.

Further forward, Nicolas Pepe appears unlikely to make the starting lineup anytime soon with Ljungberg recently stating that he was unimpressed with the Ivorian in training. Instead, we are backing for a maiden league start for Gabriel Martinelli on the right wing.

That would certainly mean a start for Aubameyang on the opposite flank. Mesut Ozil should feature in the number 10 position with Alexandre Lacazette leading the line against the Seagulls.