Ben White rested, Bukayo Saka returns, Zinchenko decision made - Arsenal line ups vs Brighton

Having kept their title charge ticking along nicely with a routine win over Luton, Arsenal face a far sterner test away at Brighton. The Gunners record on the south coast is appalling with just two wins at the Amex since the Seagulls were promoted from the Championship in 2017.

Brighton may not have hit the levels they did last season, but Mikel Arteta knows his side are in for a tough test. "He’s a top manager with top coaching staff," the Spaniard said of his opposite number for Saturday.

"An unbelievable football club. What they’ve done deserves great credit. They’re now fighting with the top clubs. I think they’ve done a magnificent job. Roberto has given them a clear style and a very attractive style and they’re very tough for the opponent."

Only a win will do though as they seek to go back to the top of the Premier League, if only for a night. With a Champions League first leg against Bayern Munich coming up on Tuesday though, Arteta has a tricky balancing act.

Luckily for him football.london's Arsenal writers are on hand to decide who they think should start.

READ MORE: Every word Mikel Arteta said on Saka's fitness, Smith Rowe's Arsenal future and Partey contract

READ MORE: Mikel Arteta gives Bukayo Saka update for Arsenal ahead of Brighton and Bayern Munich

Tom Canton - Football writer

Arsenal have a tricky test in the form of Brighton away right before they host Bayern Munich. Managing minutes and player fitness before the German champions arrive will be key but with a near-fully fit squad Arsenal have the players to be able to do that.

For the trip to Brighton I’ve gone with a couple of switches to keep legs fit ahead of the weekend. Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jakub Kiwior coming in for Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko allows the former a much-needed rest ahead of an inevitable start this midweek with both Gabriel and William Saliba providing the consistency in front of David Raya.

Jorginho returns to the midfield and it will be a judgement call between him and Thomas Partey for the game with Bayern. Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard need to continue with the former having got some valuable rest in midweek too.

Up top and Gabriel Jesus can come in fresh and is a good option in away games as he showed with his man-of-the-match display at Nottingham Forest. Both Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli start but hopefully can secure some important goals to be substituted later ahead of the Champions League.

Canton’s Arsenal XI vs Brighton: Raya; Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Jorginho, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.

Kaya Kaynak - Chief Arsenal correspondent

I think Brighton's tactics make this an intriguing team selection for Mikel Arteta. If I were the Spaniard I'd want as many technically capable players in my team as possible for this one.

That's why Oleksandr Zinchenko keeps his place in the side at left back for me. I don't think the Bayern Munich game is one for him as well, so resting Jakub Kiwior until then makes sense.

In midfield meanwhile I think you can be bold and play Declan Rice on his own at the base. There aren't too many players better at combining with teammates than Emile Smith Rowe so I'm keeping him in the side.

In the forward areas I think you want Bukayo Saka fully fit for Bayern, so why not bring him off the bench here. Leandro Trossard is a more than capable replacement, while bringing Gabriel Martinelli back into action before such a huge game makes sense. Equally I'm going for Gabriel Jesus through the middle where he can hopefully do Lewis Dunk some damage.

Kaynak's Arsenal XI vs Brighton - Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Rice, Odgeaard, Smith Rowe; Trossard, Jesus, Martinelli.