Mac Allister still absent after Argentina’s Word Cup success (Picture: Getty)
Brighton will be without four key players when they take on Premier League leaders Arsenal on Saturday.
The Gunners picked up from where they left off on Boxing Day with a confident win over West Ham United at the Emirates but head to the coast to take on Roberto De Zerbi’s side in what could be a far sterner test.
Brighton, who beat Southampton 3-1 in their first game back after the World Cup, beat Mikel Arteta’s side by the same score line away from home in the Carabao Cup in November and have big wins over Manchester United and Chelsea under their belt this season having also held Liverpool to a 3-3 draw at Anfield.
But the Seagulls will be without a number of players on New Year’s Eve. Danny Welbeck, who spent five seasons at Arsenal, missed the win over Southampton due to a muscular injury, an issue he has still not fully recovered from.
Adam Webster also missed out at St Mary’s with the visit of Arsenal coming too soon for him.
Alexis Mac Allister meanwhile is still absent following his key role in Argentina’s World Cup success in Qatar with midfielder Moises Caicedo set to serve a suspension after picking up his fifth booking of the year against Southampton.
‘At the moment we are in condition to play, we are ready,’ said De Zerbi. ‘Webster and Welbeck are not able to play but we knew last week for them that we have to wait another week. A couple of days for Welbeck I think but more for Webster.’
Caicedo missing through suspension (Picture: Getty)
He added: ‘Mac Allister will arrive in the next couple of days.’
Brighton head into the round of fixtures in seventh place, a point behind Liverpool who are in action against Leicester City on Friday night.
Arsenal meanwhile have been handed a boost on the fitness front with Takehiro Tomiyasu available once again.
‘He is getting closer and closer so he’s available,’ Arteta said of the Japan international.
Midfielder Emile Smith Rowe will not be in the squad but has made ‘big steps’, Arteta explained. ‘He took part in some training sessions and looked good. We’re hoping to have him back soon.’
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Arsenal head to the AMEX Stadium on Saturday.
