Arsenal prepare to face Brighton this afternoon at the Emirates Stadium, with the league leaders looking to maintain their two-point advantage at the top of the Premier League table.
Mikel Arteta’s side are also aiming to extend their impressive home winning streak which has seen them claim victory in their last 10 matches in all competitions at their north London fortress.
The Gunners go into this match off the back of their dramatic penalty shootout triumph over Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals in midweek, with Marc Guehi’s 95th-minute equalizer forcing a penalty shootout after Maxence Lacroix’s own goal had seemingly settled the contest.
Arsenal ultimately prevailed in the shootout to book their place in the semi-finals and keep their quadruple potential alive and well.
Brighton arrive in the capital after their toughest spell of the season, having failed to win any of their last four matches in all competitions – including defeats against Aston Villa and Liverpool as well as draws with West Ham and Sunderland.
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Fabian Hürzeler saw his side slip to ninth place despite an encouraging start to the campaign which saw them climb as high as fifth following wins over Man City, Newcastle and Chelsea in the autumn.
Danny Welbeck’s absence through injury has coincided with his inability to find the net, with the former Arsenal striker having contributed seven Premier League goals this season and being just three goals away from his best return in the competition.
However, Hurzeler confirmed Welbeck will return to the team for this afternoon’s clash against his former employers, where he spent seven years and won three FA Cups after leaving Man United in 2014.
The defensive solidity that has become Arsenal’s hallmark has also been threatened by the continued absence of Gabriel Magalhaes, Cristhian Mosquera and Ben White through injury, with Gabriel set to be out for a little longer as he continues his rehabilitation and is yet to return to training.
It’s also not the sum of their backline shortage.
Summer signing Piero Hincapie injured his shoulder against Everton, and it remains to be seen whether the Ecuadorian will be available this afternoon.
Speaking of Hincapie, there was an interesting update on his future this week.
Barcelona manager Deco considering move for Arsenal star Piero Hincapie
Spanish media sources now report that Barcelona sporting director Deco has identified three centre-backs as potential targets for the summer, with the La Liga champions looking to strengthen their defensive options ahead of next season.
According to these Spanish reports, Hincapie is high on Barcelona’s shortlist, with the 23-year-old having impressed since joining Arsenal from Bayer Leverkusen on an initial loan deal.
The versatile ace has started consistently in recent weeks due to the injury crisis affecting Arsenal’s back line, demonstrating his quality on the ball which makes him equally comfortable as a left centre-back or full-back.
Barcelona view Hincapie as an ideal long-term investment given his age and potential, with Deco particularly attracted to the ‘big name”s speed, technical ability and the versatility that allows him to slot into multiple defensive positions – considering him an ‘ideal’ signing.
The South American’s situation is also of interest to Barca, with sources now suggesting that if Arsenal do not trigger the £45m option to buy as part of his loan deal, Hincapie could become an increasingly attractive target.
This interest from one of European football’s powerhouses is testament to the impression Hincapie has made in N5, despite a slow start due to injury.
For Arsenal, losing Hincapie would represent a major blow to their defensive depth, and Arteta has worked meticulously to build a team capable of challenging on multiple fronts throughout a demanding campaign.
It is difficult to envisage sporting director Andrea Berta greenlighting a move to Barca at this stage, but Arsenal must first activate the permanent deal clause in his contract.
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