For the final time in 2022, Arsenal will be in Premier League action as they face Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday evening.
Any fears that the six-week World Cup break would disrupt the Gunners' momentum were eventually dismissed in their first competitive fixture following the restart on Boxing Day as they produced an impressive second half display to come from behind and beat West Ham United.
As a result, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will no doubt be hopeful of more of the same against the Seagulls, especially with Manchester City and Newcastle United hot on their heels in what is turning out to be a surprising Premier League title race this season.
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With that said, as this is the north London outfit's first of two fixtures in the space of three days - they welcome Eddie Howe's side to the Emirates Stadium on January 3 - the Spaniard is going to have to make full use of his squad and whilst he can't call upon Gabriel Jesus and Reiss Nelson, he still has plenty of options at his disposal.
This could include Takehiro Tomiyasu after he took part in a full training session at London Colney on Thursday afternoon and if he's in contention to face Brighton, it means the Gunners manager will have somewhat of a team selection dilemma on his hands as the Japan international can operate anywhere across the back four.
Once again, football.london's Arsenal writers Kaya Kaynak, Tashan Deniran-Alleyne and Bailey Keogh are on hand to offer their assistance to the Spanish tactician. Below, they take a look at who they think should be starting for the visitors in the New Year's Eve clash against Brighton.
Kaya Kaynak - Arsenal Writer
If I were Mikel Arteta I wouldn't look to change too much from the Boxing Day victory over West Ham. There's been a five-day break which is more than long enough for those players to have had a rest.
That means that I would keep the excellent Ben White at right-back and I wouldn't break up the partnership of William Saliba and Gabriel. The one change I would make would be to bring Alex Zinchenko in at left-back. Kieran Tierney was good against West Ham, but Zinchenko just offers another level of control.
Thomas Partey would continue at the base of the midfield for me with Granit Xhaka at the left eight. On the right-hand side I would obviously pick Martin Odegaard who can hopefully continue his sublime form.
Not much seems to have changed on the injury front so I don't think there's too much option other than to pick Gabriel Martinelli, Eddie Nketiah and Bukayo Saka as the front three. Given that all three scored against West Ham though, it's not exactly a bad problem to have.
Kaynak's Arsenal XI vs Brighton: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli.
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne - Arsenal Writer
Arsenal are on a fine run of form in the Premier League and for that reason, I see no reason to tinker with a winning formula. The big decision facing Mikel Arteta - not for the first time this season - is who gets the nod at left-back with Kieran Tierney battling it out with Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Taking into account that the Ukraine international has started in the league when available for selection, it's a clear indication that he will return to the Gunners' starting line-up at the Amex Stadium and it would be hard to argue with that decision given how comfortable he is in possession.
For me, the rest of the team should remain unchanged from the win over West Ham. This means William Saliba will be risked as he's one yellow card away from being suspended. With games against Newcastle, Tottenham and Manchester United on the horizon, the Frenchman needs to be on his best behaviour.
It was good to see Arsenal's front three all get on the scoresheet against the Hammers, in particular, Eddie Nketiah as that goal will hopefully do wonders for his confidence and the best way to silence his doubters amid Gabriel Jesus' injury is to continue finding the back of the net.
Deniran-Alleyne's Arsenal XI vs Brighton: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Odegaard, Xhaka; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli
Bailey Keogh - Arsenal Writer
A win against Brighton on New Year's Eve is crucial to maintain the momentum that the Gunners had gained after the win against West Ham. For this reason, it is important that Mikel Arteta plays the same side that won Arsenal’s last Premier League match at the Emirates.
The defence must maintain consistency and that for the reason the same back four of Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Kieran Tierney should start, despite the anticipated returns of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu.
The midfield picks itself as Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, and Granit Xhaka were all pivotal in Arsenal’s Boxing Day victory over West Ham.
Following Gabriel Jesus’ injury, Eddie Nketiah should be given a chance to lead the line once against after his impressive goal in the previous match with Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka on either side of the forward to provide the extra goal threat
Keogh's Arsenal XI vs Brighton: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tierney; Odegaard, Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli
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