Arsenal Team News: Injuries, suspensions and line-up vs Brighton
Everything you need to know ahead of the Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday
Arsenal know there is no more room for error in the Premier League as they go hunting a top-four spot.
Three successive league defeats have seen them slip to fifth and they now need Chelsea to drop points in one of their final two games to have a chance of guaranteeing themselves Champions League football next season.
But even then they would have to win both of their remaining matches – starting on Sunday when Brighton visit the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal were beaten last time they were in action at home in the Premier League, falling to a shock 3-2 defeat against Crystal Palace, but they did bounce back with a morale-boosting victory in their Europa League semi-final first leg against Valencia on Thursday night.
The last time they played Brighton they were held to a 1-1 draw at the Amex on Boxing Day, with Jurgen Locadia cancelling out Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s early goal.
Aaron Ramsey will not be available for Arsenal after it was confirmed that the Wales international would not play for the Gunners again.
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The 28-year-old injured his hamstring against Napoli in the Europa League and will not return until after the final in Baku on May 29, should Arsenal get there.
Denis Suarez is another that’s ruled out after it was revealed that he was also out for the season with a groin problem and would not be able to play again before the end of his loan spell from Barcelona.
Laurent Koscielny is a doubt after taking a heavy knock to his ankle during Thursday night’s 3-1 win against Valencia in the Europa League.
All three long-term absentees, Rob Holding (knee), Danny Welbeck (ankle) and Hector Bellerin (knee) remain sidelined.
Arsenal do not have anyone banned for the game.
With Arsenal’s penultimate Premier League game of the season falling in between the two legs of their Europa League semi-final against Valencia, Unai Emery is expected to make some changes against Brighton on Sunday.
But with a place in the top four still up for grabs, the Spaniard will be well aware he can’t make too many changes, especially after what happened against Crystal Palace last time the Gunners were in action at the Emirates in the Premier League.
The likes of Alex Iwobi and Henrikh Mkhitaryan could come into the attack, with one of either Alexandre Lacazette or Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang rested ahead of the second leg with Valencia next Thursday.
Bernd Leno will come back into goal having sat out Thursday night’s game, with Shkodran Mustafi and Matteo Guendouzi also pushing for a starting spot in what could be a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Dutch midfielder Davy Propper is out (hamstring). Israel international and fellow midfielder Beram Kayal is a slight doubt (also hamstring). Winger Solly March is likely to start after his second-half impact as a substitute against Newcastle.
Kick-off is 4.30pm BST (11.30am ET) on Sunday May 5, and will be televised in the United Kingdom on Sky Sports. It will also be streamed on Sky Go. It will be shown on NBCSN in the United States.