Mikel Arteta would want another winning run from Arsenal, who are set to take on ‘bogey team’ Brighton & Hove Albion at the Emirates.
Arsenal suffered a setback last weekend as Aston Villa held on to their early lead and kept the Gunners at bay, meaning the Brighton & Hove Albion fixture becomes crucial. There were controversial moments in the game involving the referee and VAR, as the away side was seemingly denied a closer look at a penalty call and then a late equaliser that got chalked off for handball.
Mikel Arteta also received a boost after the FA dropped its charges on the Arsenal manager for his comments after the Newcastle United game. The Spaniard now remains focused on matters on hand in the Premier League as he looks to retain the second spot.
Arsenal also managed to secure a draw against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League, although they had already guaranteed the top spot in the group before that clash. The Gunners now have two key fixtures in the league, first against ‘bogey team’ Brighton & Hove Albion and then a big trip away to Anfield to face Liverpool.
Roberto De Zerbi wanted top spot in their Europa League group, and courtesy of a late winner from Joao Pedro on Thursday, he achieved that target. Now, the Italian tactician will focus on the Premier League, where Brighton have continued to display stuttering form.
Ahead of the Arsenal clash, De Zerbi lamented some valuable dropped points in recent games, insisting that had they achieved those, then Brighton would have been near the top four. Last weekend, they faced an in-form James Trafford in the Burnley goal, with the Englishman ensuring Vincent Kompany’s side at least took a point.
Brighton are currently six points behind fourth-placed Manchester City, and De Zerbi would want favourable results to help the team remain in contention. They can also take confidence from the fact that they are one of Arsenal’s ‘bogey team’ and have an excellent recent record at the Emirates, as the Seagulls have the highest win percentage of any team at this venue in Premier League history.
Team News & Tactics
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta will undoubtedly make many changes after shuffling his pack for the midweek encounter. The Arsenal manager insisted he had no fresh fitness issues, barring Mohamed Elneny, who suffered a minor hamstring issue. Moreover, the Gunners boss confirmed Gabriel Martinelli is back in contention after missing the PSV clash through illness.
Bukayo Saka also had a niggling issue, but Arteta did not talk about the winger, meaning he could start. Ben White, Oleksandr Zinchenko and David Raya will come to shore up the backline. Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard could join Kai Havertz in midfield.
Arteta will likely overhaul the entire front three from the midweek encounter. Saka and Martinelli will take up their customary wide positions, while Gabriel Jesus will replace midweek goalscorer Eddie Nketiah.
Arsenal also have a stronger bench now considering Emile Smith Rowe has returned, while Thomas Partey might also make the matchday squad if Arteta deems him fit. Beyond that, Leandro Trossard, Nketiah and Reiss Nelson are the primary options for the manager from the substitutes’ bench.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Raya; Ben White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
Brighton & Hove Albion
Roberto De Zerbi had no respite from a lengthy injury list, with as many as seven players missing from action for the Seagulls. There were concerns with midweek match0winner Joao Pedro, who was taken off in injury time. The Brazilian will go through an assessment before the Arsenal clash.
The Brighton manager will likely shuffle his pack from recent games in all competitions and name a team depending on the opponent. For instance, he could drop Jack Hinshelwood and put Igor Julio on at left-back to face up to Bukayo Saka, while Pascal Gross might take care of Gabriel Martinelli from right-back.
Jan Paul van Hecke and Lewis Dunk will keep their centre-back partnership alive, while Jason Steele might get the nod over Bart Verbruggen in goal. Carlos Baleba and Billy Gilmour might start in midfield, while Pedro, if fit, can play in the No.10 role behind the striker.
Kaoru Mitoma has returned to full fitness, has played the last two to three games, and will certainly start on the left wing. Meanwhile, Simon Adingra seems best placed to play on the right, while Evan Ferguson, who scored his first career league goal against the Gunners last season, will lead the line.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Steele; Gross, Van Hecke, Dunk, Igor; Baleba, Gilmour; Adingra, Pedro, Mitoma; Ferguson
Key Stats
- Arsenal have won just one of their last six home games against Brighton in all competitions.
- Arsenal are unbeaten across the 12 home matches in all competitions this season.
- Brighton have won their last three away matches against Arsenal in all competitions.
- Brighton have scored at least two goals in their last 4 matches against Arsenal in all competitions.
- Brighton have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 20 Premier League games. Their last shutout came against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Player to Watch
Gabriel Martinelli
For #Arsenal to score more goals, Gabriel Martinelli has to play closer to goal. He’s our best finisher, and so much energy is used travelling from the touchline to the edge of the box. We don’t need a player of his talent hugging the touch line. #AFC pic.twitter.com/WoL0qh9E22
— Adam Keys (@adamkeys_) December 11, 2023
There is a different argument surrounding Martinelli, who, despite being such an important player, has not been so prolific this season compared to last. He has a total of two goals to show for his cause, but this Arsenal side have not clicked in the final third.
Maybe Arteta needs to tweak his role a bit and allow Martinelli to have more involvement inward, as the Brazilian has spent time tucking the touchline. The winger has to come to the fore and create chances for himself and rediscover his scoring form soon to help Arsenal with their push.
Prediction
Arsenal 2-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
No team has breached Arsenal at the Emirates this season, and that might remain the case when Brighton & Hove Albion come visiting. Roberto De Zerbi’s side have a formidable record at this venue. But the Gunners are stronger and more resilient at the back to ward off the threat posed by the Seagulls’ attackers.
The Gunners are also slowly kicking into gear, and with De Zerbi likely to play an open game, unlike most teams who set up a low block against the Gunners, Mikel Arteta’s side will have their chances. Much will depend on how clinical they are in front of goal, and they might nick the three points at the Emirates on Sunday.
