Arsenal have been handed a boost ahead of their clash with Brighton tomorrow after Graham Potter admitted that the Seagulls don’t have a direct replacement for Yves Bissouma who is doubtful for the game.
The build-up to the game has centred around the availability of two key midfielders in Granit Xhaka for the Gunners and Bissouma for Brighton.
Xhaka is set to miss three months of action after sustaining a significant injury to his medial knee ligament in the north London derby win over Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.
Meanwhile, Bissouma - who incidentally has been linked with a move to the Emirates for many months now – missed Brighton’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on Monday night with a knee issue of his own.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Thursday, Potter did hint that a decision will be made on Bissouma’s fitness at the last minute.
However, he also conceded that Brighton do not boast another player that has the same skillset as Bissouma.
"We haven’t got a direct replacement for Yves [Bissouma]," Potter told reporters.
"He is unique. We have to find a solution as a team. But we have got other options. We just have to find the right replacement for Yves if he does not make the game."
The Mali international has been thoroughly impressive so far this season, and his performances have led to transfer links with some of Europe’s biggest clubs, including the Gunners and Manchester United.
If he is indeed unavailable, Mikel Arteta’s team will have one less problem to deal with in a game that promises to be tricky based off of Brighton’s early season form of four wins and a draw in six Premier League matches.
Victory will give the Gunners a fourth consecutive league win, and bring them to within touching distance of the fast starters.
