Arsenal look to end a difficult season on a high as they welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to the Emirates Stadium in a final day clash in the Premier League.
Victory would see Arsenal snatch seventh and Europa Conference League qualification, providing that Tottenham and Everton both fail to win elsewhere.
Brighton meanwhile could finish as high as 13th with a win if Crystal Palace, Southampton and Newcastle all lose elsewhere.
Team News
David Luiz could return for Arsenal if he is deemed match fit as he nears a return from a hamstring injury.
Hector Bellerin (knock) is a doubt but Matt Ryan is ineligible to face his parent club as per terms of his loan deal.
Brighton will be without Neal Maupay after his suspension was extended to three matches, following an admission of inappropriate language during a defeat at Wolves earlier this month.
Lewis Dunk is however available to return from his suspension but Danny Welbeck (hamstring) and Davy Propper (ankle) are unlikely to feature, thereby joining Joel Veltman (calf), Tariq Lamptey (thigh) and Solly March (knee) on the sidelines.
Stat Attack
- Arsenal have won just one of their last six meetings against Brighton (W1, D2, L3).
- Brighton are unbeaten in two of three previous trips to the Emirates Stadium (W1, D1, L1).
- Each of Brighton’s three Premier League wins over Arsenal have been by 2-1 results.
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is set to not finish as Arsenal’s top league goalscorer for first time since 2017-18 season, unless he can net four goals and Alexandre Lacazette fails to score.
- Neal Maupay is set to finish the season as Brighton’s top goal scorer for a second consecutive campaign.
Prediction
Having both scored three goals in midweek wins over Palace and Manchester City respectively, this should be an interesting clash in terms of building momentum for next season.
Arsenal however are still in with a shot of Europa Conference League qualification if results elsewhere go their way, although they will need a better attacking performance than they produced in midweek despite clinical goals proving the difference.
Brighton meanwhile have nothing to play for other than pride and produced excellent attacking play to stun Man City on Tuesday, yet started both halves sloppy which won’t be enough if they repeat those mistakes here and Arsenal turn up with confidence.
I therefore am in two minds about how this game will play out because Arsenal need a win but Brighton have often been their Achilles heel in recent meetings, so I am going to go for a late home winner.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Brighton
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