Brighton vs Arsenal: Preview, Predictions and Lineups

Brighton’s quest for a first win since November continues when they visit Arsenal on Saturday afternoon.

The Seagulls ended 2024 with another draw – the club’s third in a row – after Tariq Lamptey’s 81st-minute equalizer secured a share of the spoils against Aston Villa on Monday. Fabian Hurzeler has remained upbeat throughout the seven-game wait for a win and told fans to “always trust the process” this week.

Arsenal’s first few seasons below Mikel Arteta are defined by exactly that phrase – which Mesut Ozil was ironically responsible for before the process led to his own exile. After five years in Arteta’s tenure, the Gunners have been rewarded for their patience and find themselves embroiled in the title race for the third consecutive season.

A 12-game unbeaten run has kept Arsenal within reach of runaway leaders Liverpool, who do not play until Sunday. This delay gives the north London department an opportunity to – however briefly – close gap to first place by only three points.

Brighton vs Arsenal H2H results (last five matches)

Current form (all competitions)

Brighton almost have entire starting XI players injured. Saturday’s game is “too early” for the club’s brand new signing from Inter Miami, Diego Gomez, who will watch on the sidelines with full-back Ferdi Kadioglu and veteran midfielder James Milner.

Jack Hinshelwood is “closer” to a return from a knee injury according to Hurzeler and centre-back Adam Webster is available again. However, doubts are looming over Pervis Estupinan, who is recovering from an illness.

Former Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck will be assessed “day-to-day”, while fellow striker Evan Ferguson (ankle) and midfielder Mats Wieffer (thigh) are unlikely to feature.

Brighton predicted the line-up against Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Lamptey, Van Hecke, Dunk, Igor; Baleba, O’Riley; Minteh, Rutter, Adingra; Pedro

Arsenal was attacked by a “bug” for the whole team ahead of their New Year’s trip to Brentford. Kai Havertz held on in the 3-1 win, sent to quarantine to avoid further contagion. Arteta revealed on Friday: “Those with illnesses, I think they will be fine.”

Whether that means Havertz will be pushed straight back into the starting 11 is another matter entirely. Given the strong form of Gabriel Jesus, there seems no need to rush the German.

Arsenal will not see the return of either of their injured full-backs, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu. Fellow defender Jurrien Timber will also sit out the trip to the south coast after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season on Wednesday.

Raheem Sterling is getting closer to full fitness, but Bukayo Saka is still at the start of his long recovery. Whether Arteta will be able to resist the urge to start 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri for the second time in four days remains to be seen.

Arsenal predicted the line-up against Brighton (4-3-3): Raya; Partey, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Rice, Merino; Martinelli, Jesus, Trossard.

Brighton haven’t beaten Arsenal at the AMEX Stadium since the shutdown, in a game that butterfly fans claim won Argentina the World Cup, with the rarely seen Emiliano Martinez taking center stage.

The Seagulls haven’t picked up three points in front of their own fans against anyone since they played victory over Manchester City before the international break in November. While Hurzeler insists the performances haven’t been as bad as their point totals in recent weeks, the early swagger from the first few months of the season has definitely worn off.

Arsenal – especially as they continue to grapple with their own Bukayo Saka-less existence – they are by no means favorites for this Saturday’s triumph. However, the Gunners are in a good position to extend Brighton’s wait for a win.

Prediction: Brighton 1-2 Arsenal

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