Manchester United are out of the race for fourth after drawing at the Premier League’s worst club, Huddersfield. Really been a dreadful run since Solskjaer was appointed. Will he be given the chance to rebuild?
The bad news for Arsenal is that Chelsea have just eased their way past Watford to leave them five points clear of the Gunners going prior to kick-off. A victory for Arsenal here will leave them one point off arch rivals Spurs going into the final round of fixtures, so there is plenty to play for.
What sort of mood will the two sides be in? Arsenal have a crucial Europa League semi-final second leg in the week, which is their best route to the Champions League at the moments, so their foot might be off the accelerator.
Brighton, on the other hand, will be relieved that their Premier League status is secure for another season. They looked to have felt the strain over a long season of poor results, summed up by their thrashing at home against Bournemouth. Without relegation being in their minds, they could actually be free to do as they wish against an Arsenal side who cannot defend.
Starting lineups: Arsenal v Brighton
Arsenal: Leno, Lichtsteiner, Sokratis, Mustafi, Monreal, Torreira, Xhaka, Mkhitaryan, Ozil, Aubameyang, Lacazette
Subs: Cech, Koscielny, Kolasinac, Elneny Guendouzi, Iwobi, Nketiah
Brighton: Ryan. Bruno, Dufy, Dunk, Bernardo, Stephens, Bissouma, Jahanbakhsh, Murray, March
Subs: Button, Bong, Balogun, Kayal, Knockaert, Locadia, Andone
Updated
Preamble
They are safe, the deck chairs are out and there is seemingly nothing to play for … or at least that’s what Arsenal’s recent Premier League form has suggested. The Gunners, like everyone else vying for fourth place, are stumbling over the line like a man running the marathon dressed as the Elizabeth Tower (I mean Big Ben but I am being pedantic).
Unai Emery’s side have lost their last three domestic matches to Crystal Palace, Wolves and Leicester in honour of mid-1990s First Division play-off contestants. Despite all this desire to combust and fail, Arsenal are still in with a shout of snatching fourth but they really need to win today against Brighton.
Conveniently, the Seagulls spent last night on the metaphorical lash after their most-hated rivals, Crystal Palace, sent Neil Warnock and Cardiff back to the Championship where the manager can find more match officials to moan about. It’s been a mediocre season for Brighton, who have been saved by Cardiff’s commitment to being even worse. Expensive signings not making an impact has been a big flaw in Chris Hughton’s plan and his tenure at the Amex could be over, as they look for the traditional ‘person to take us to the next level’.
With just Arsenal and Manchester City to play, Brighton are staring down the barrel of ending on 35 points, which would have seem them relegated in many other seasons. Hughton now has two games to show what he could offer as manager next season.
Should be fun either way …