Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler raves about six Arsenal players ahead of Premier League clash

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Once the transfer window concludes and the Arsenal players, old and new, head off to their respective international teams, the Gunners face Brighton & Hove Albion at the Emirates.

Like Arsenal, Brighton have won both of their opening two games of the season under new boss Fabian Hurzeler, one of the only managers in the league younger than Mikel Arteta.

Arteta will face Hurzeler in Saturday’s earlier kick off, and at least one of the two managers will lose their perfect record.

Mikel Merino could make his Arsenal debut in the tie, and there may even be another Spanish debutant on show.

Arsenal are pushing to sign Joan Garcia, and it looks as if they will meet his release clause before Friday’s deadline.

Fabian Hurzeler says Martin Odegaard has ‘something special’ ahead of Arsenal tie

Speaking to Hayters TV, Hurzeler actually praised six Arsenal players in total, expressing that he could probably single-out any player in their squad.

But in particular, the Brighton boss hailed Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz, who almost look like they’re playing together in a 4-4-2 at times.

READ MORE: Manager doesn’t think Arsenal will be able to sign his £25m player before deadline day

Hurzeler said: “I could mention now every individual player from them. I especially like of course, Odegaard has something special, Havertz, I like the way he plays.

“For me, he’s one of the best German players we have, he’s like complete and all his acting behaviour on the pitch.

“Saka can decide a game with one situation, they have Martinelli, they have Trossard on the other side, they have very good defensive players.

“They have Rice, a good box to box player so I can mention all their names.”

Mikel Merino will be ready to make Arsenal debut vs Brighton

Whilst it might be tempting for Arteta, the Arsenal manager should probably resist starting Merino against Brighton on Saturday.

Eventually, it would seem that Declan Rice will drop to the six to allow Merino to play the Granit Xhaka role.

Surprisingly, there were some decision-makers at Arsenal who didn’t want to sign Merino this summer, Arteta had to convince one or two.

There were a few concerns regarding Merino’s age, given the club already have Thomas Partey and Jorginho in the middle, who are both over the age of 30.

But 28-year-old Merino, playing alongside the six names who Hurzeler mentioned, should be an excellent addition in north London.