After getting back to winning ways on Saturday, Arsenal need to keep pushing for a top-four spot with another win against Brighton on Boxing Day.

Chelsea’s shock result against Leicester brought Arsenal right back into contention for the Champions League places over the weekend. The Gunners are currently only behind on goal difference, so Unai Emery’s side need to be ready to pounce on any further mistakes.

With a game against Liverpool at the weekend, Emery has a bit of a dilemma in terms of his team selection. As nice as it would be to get a result at Anfield, it’s probably better to make sure he secures the three points in midweek, rather than heavily rotating and risking dropping points in both matches.

Let’s have a look at our predicted lineup for the trip to Brighton.

3Forwards

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 22: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Burnley FC at Emirates Stadium on December 22, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 22: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Burnley FC at Emirates Stadium on December 22, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Arsenal’s front three against Burnley worked really well together. Mesut Özil bounced back from his exclusion from the League Cup squad on Wednesday to play a pivotal role in two of the goals. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was clinical with the two chances that fell his way, and Alexandre Lacazette set up one of those goals as well as linking up well with his teammates all game.

The Frenchman came off early for Alex Iwobi, who scored in the final minutes, so Lacazette should certainly be available to start again in midweek. Aubameyang will also probably keep his place, as Arsenal are starting to rely on the goals of the league’s top scorer.

When he’s not injured, Özil doesn’t tend to have any problem starting multiple games in a week, so it seems probably Emery will just stick with the same front three two games in a row.

However, Aaron Ramsey and Alex Iwobi will both hope to stake a claim for a spot in the team.

Iwobi may find it difficult in the current formation, and based on Emery’s recent team selections it seems more likely that Ramsey starts against a high-energy Liverpool team than a Brighton team that are likely to sit back. It’s always possible one of them makes a surprise appearance though.

Click ‘Next’ for the full Predicted Starting XI