Preview: Brighton vs Arsenal – stats, team news, line-ups

Looking to tighten the noose on Liverpool at the Premier League summit, Arsenal travel to the South Coast on Saturday evening for a tricky affair against Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium.

The clash promises to be an intriguing encounter and another true test of Arsenal’s title credentials. As always, seatsnet.com remains the best ticket marketplace for fans eager to witness the action firsthand. 

Brighton will be looking to bounce back from a frustrating goalless draw against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium, where they dominated possession but lacked the cutting edge in front of goal.  

A record-breaking 24 shots without finding the net highlighted their struggles on the road, where they’ve managed just one goal in their last five outings.

A controversial penalty shout denied by referee Andy Madley further compounded Brighton’s midweek woes, and the draw against Brentford saw the Seagulls squander a chance to reclaim a spot in the top seven.

Despite their recent dip in form, a European spot for next season remains a realistic target for Roberto De Zerbi’s men, with West Ham United just two points ahead in the standings after playing one more game.

However, Brighton find solace at the Amex Stadium, boasting a remarkable 14-game unbeaten streak dating back to September when they fell to Greek side AEK Athens in the Europa League. 

Recent victories over Nottingham Forest and AS Roma showcase their home advantage, and De Zerbi’s troops are yet to concede more than one goal on home turf this year.

Arsenal travel to the Amex on Saturday with their sights set on a repeat performance against Brighton & Hove Albion.

While North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur were the last team to score twice at the Amex back in December, Arsenal boast a crucial weapon their bitter adversaries lack – resilience on the road.

The Gunners’ defensive solidity away from home is undeniable. Their recent 0-0 draw against defending champions and title rivals Manchester City marked their fourth consecutive away clean sheet in the Premier League.  

While their conservative approach in that high-profile encounter raised eyebrows, Mikel Arteta’s men found their attacking rhythm again when relegation-threatened Luton Town visited the Emirates Stadium in midweek.

Martin Odegaard’s crisp strike and Daiki Hashioka’s own goal ensured a comfortable win before half time, allowing Arteta to rotate his squad and preserve energy for the upcoming fixtures. 

The win over Luton – their ninth in ten Premier League games this year – saw them temporarily displace Liverpool at the summit. 

However, the Reds wasted no time reclaiming their place at the top of the table after a 3-1 victory over Sheffield United.

Currently ranked number one for away points (30), goals scored (34), and goals conceded (a league-low 11), Arsenal head south to renew acquaintances with Brighton.  

Their last encounter in February resulted in a routine 2-0 victory at the Emirates. But replicating that feat and achieving back-to-back wins over the Seagulls will prove a challenge, something they haven’t accomplished since the 2020/21 season.

Match Preview

Brighton have a knack for giving the “Big Six” a run for their money, but while historical trends suggest an even encounter, their recent form paints a different picture.

After winning two of their opening three Premier League clashes against Arsenal at the Amex (D1), the Seagulls have now lost two of their last three home meetings with the Gunners (D1).

However, on a broader note, Brighton are enjoying a formidable unbeaten streak at home, stretching 12 Premier League matches (W6, D6) since their 3-1 defeat to West Ham United back in August. 

This impressive run marks their longest unbeaten spell at the Amex in the competition. 

While Danny Welbeck seems to relish facing his former club, with four goals in his last five starts against Arsenal, it’s worth noting that three of his most recent strikes came at the Emirates, not the Amex.

Arsenal head to the south coast on a mission to secure a rare double over Brighton. They previously achieved this feat in the 2020/21 season, and their current form suggests they’re more than capable of repeating it.

Arsenal boast an impressive defensive record on the road, having kept clean sheets in their last four away games. 

If they can manage one more shutout against Brighton, they’ll equal their best-ever run of five consecutive clean sheets away from home, set back in the spring of 1997.  

Leading the charge for Arsenal will be captain Martin Odegaard, who has a history of tormenting Brighton.  

In his six previous Premier League meetings with the Seagulls, he’s been directly involved in four goals, scoring twice and providing two assists, including a goal and an assist in last season’s 4-2 victory at the Amex.

Team News & Potential Line-ups

The Seagulls were without two promising young attackers for their recent encounter with Brentford. Irish striker Evan Ferguson, who is subject to interest from Arsenal, missed out with an ankle knock.

Ansu Fati was also deemed not yet ready for the rigours of the Premier League by De Zerbi and was left out for tactical reasons.

While Ferguson’s status remains uncertain for the Arsenal clash, Brighton will be without the likes of Solly March, Kaoru Mitoma, Billy Gilmour, and Jack Hinshelwood.  

James Milner is also recovering from a thigh issue, making De Zerbi’s selection decisions even more challenging.

Brighton’s penchant for squad rotation, boasting the most changes in the Premier League this season at a staggering 114, could see a return for former Arsenal striker Welbeck leading the line.

Arsenal’s own injury concerns centre around their top scorer, Saka. The 22-year-old limped out of the midweek draw with Man City due to fatigue and missed their subsequent match against Luton. 

While initial reports suggested he would return for the game against Luton, a late setback forced him out. Arteta remains optimistic about Saka’s recovery for the Brighton clash.  

However, Arsenal are set to be without long-term absentee Jurrien Timber, who is nearing a return from an ACL injury but won’t feature this weekend.

Emile Smith Rowe impressed in his rare starting appearance against Luton, contributing significantly to both goals. However, he’s likely to make way for a refreshed Declan Rice in the heart of midfield for the trip to Brighton.

Brighton & Hove Albion potential starting line-up:

(4-2-3-1): Bart Verbruggen; Tariq Lamptey, Lewis Dunk, Jan Paul van Hecke, Pervis Estupinan; Carlos Baleba, Pascal Gross; Simon Adingra, Jakub Moder, Julio Enciso; Danny Welbeck.

Arsenal potential starting line-up:

(4-3-3): David Raya; Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Jakub Kiwior; Martin Odegaard, Jorginho, Declan Rice; Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli.