Arsenal, after a perfect start to the season, will host Brighton & Hove Albion at the Emirates in a lunchtime kick-off, as both managers will aim to maintain their 100% record.
Mikel Arteta will have been pleased with his side’s resilient performance away at Villa Park last Saturday. Arsenal, who face Brighton & Hove Albion this weekend, were somewhat lucky to come away from the game unscathed, as Ollie Watkins missed two gilt-edged chances in the game to give Villa the lead.
Arsenal, on the other hand, were clinical when the chances arrived, as substitute Leandro Trossard scored with his first touch of the football. Thomas Partey then doubled the lead with a well-placed shot from the edge of the box, as the Gunners stood firm to keep consecutive clean sheets.
The win was rather significant in the context of how they built form early in the campaign. Villa beat Arsenal twice, and their loss at the Emirates is widely considered the main reason why Arteta’s side failed to win the title last season. On the other hand, they will face Tottenham and Manchester City in consecutive away games, as the three points at Villa will stand them in good stead going forwards.
Meanwhile, Brighton have taken to life under the Premier League’s youngest-ever full-time manager, Fabian Hurzeler, rather positively. The Seagulls have produced two standout performances in as many games, as the German boss has steered them into a good position heading to the Emirates.
After their terrific opening day win over Everton, Brighton left it late to get the winner at home against Manchester United. Their visitors had a goal ruled out for an ‘unlucky’ offside call. Alejandro Garnacho’s effort hit Joshua Zirkzee before finding the back of the net as the Dutchman was in an offside position. Earlier, Amad Diallo had equalised after Danny Welbeck had given the Seagulls the lead in the first half.
Joao Pedro was the hero of the game, as substitute Simon Adingra found the Brazilian in acres of space inside the 12-yard box, and he nodded the effort home in injury time to hand Brighton the three points. Heading to the Emirates, that win will have boosted the morale of Hurzeler’s side, as they face a tough challenge of getting something out of this Arsenal side, which will be a difficult ask.
Team News & Tactics
Arsenal
There are no fresh fitness concerns in the aftermath of the visit to Villa Park, as Arteta might have the same squad available for selection ahead of Saturday. The only addition could be that of new arrival Mikel Merino, who will not be expected to start against Brighton.
Whether he will make the bench remains the question, but there is a chance for that to happen. Gabriel Jesus, who missed the trip to Aston Villa, will stay out of the picture at least until the end of the international break, as he suffered from a minor groin issue that is not expected to keep him out for a long time.
Arteta might take more time to hand Riccardo Calafiori his first start, as Jurrien Timber might continue to play at left-back following a decent return to action from a long-term injury. Despite Merino’s arrival, Thomas Partey has given the manager no reason to drop him as he will continue to feature at the base of the midfield, with Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice set to feature on either side of the Ghanaian.
There is a likely change brewing on the left side of the front three, as Trossard’s superb cameo, coupled with Gabriel Martinelli’s sub-par performances, could see the Belgian feature from the start against his former side. Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka will keep their places, as teenager Ethan Nwaneri could find himself in the Arsenal matchday squad once more against Brighton.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Raya; Ben White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Trossard
Brighton & Hove Albion
Fabian Hurzeler was pessimistic about new signing Matt O’Riley’s injury following a rough tackle from Crawley Town’s Jay Williams. The former Celtic star will undoubtedly miss the action at the weekend; the extent of his injury might further reveal how much time he will spend on the sidelines.
O’Riley will join Solly March in the treatment room, while there are doubts about two other players. Summer signings Brajan Gruda and Mats Weiffer are doubts for this clash, and if they manage to pass the late assessments, a place on the bench will await them.
Meanwhile, Brighton will also have a new arrival in Ferdi Kadioglou to select, and he could come into the side at left-back to replace Jack Hinshelwood, while Joel Veltman will keep his place at right-back. The manager will also have to decide on his starting right-winger, with Simon Adingra making a case for himself with two decisive cameos, although Yankuba Minteh might begin for a third straight game.
Meanwhile, Hurzeler’s side was boosted by the return of striker Evan Ferguson, who was on the bench in the midweek cup fixture, although he does not have the sharpness to start games yet. Hence, Danny Welbeck will continue to lead the line for Brighton against his former side Arsenal.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Steele; Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, Kadioglu; Milner, Gilmour; Minteh, pedro, Mitoma; Welbeck
Key Stats
- Arsenal have won their last eight matches in the Premier League
- Arsenal have scored at least two goals in seven of their last eight games in the Premier League.
- Brighton & Hove Albion were winless in all seven of their Premier League away games in London last season.
- In 2024, only Cole Palmer (15 goals, 10 assists) and Erling Haaland (17 goals, one assist) have been directly involved in as many Premier League goals as Kai Havertz (10 goals, seven assists). The Arsenal attacker has scored in his last three league meetings with Brighton & Hove Albion.
- Danny Welbeck can score in three consecutive Premier League appearances for the first time since January 2014
Player to Watch
Leandro Trossard
Trossard came off the bench and scored with his first touch of the football to give Arsenal the breakthrough in an otherwise cagey contest at Villa Park. The silent goal celebration gave an insight into something brewing in the background for the Belgian, who seemed upset that he did not start over Gabriel Martinelli.
Arteta might reward Trossard for the goal and his overall positive impact since coming on against Villa, with a start for Arsenal against his former club Brighton & Hove Albion. A top-notch performance at the Emirates could open the door for the Belgian to stake a claim at the starting berth on the left wing, as he is the player in focus ahead of Brighton’s visit to North London.
Prediction
Arsenal 2-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion are not the strongest side in the defensive sense, although they have plenty going forwards in the attacking third. Fabian Hurzeler’s players have clicked in the right way, and they can trouble Arsenal in many ways possible.
Despite our prediction that Arsenal might concede an off-goal against Villa, they managed to keep a clean sheet, although that might not be the case against Brighton. Overall, the Gunners have what it takes to keep their 100% record going, as they are favourites to take three points against the Seagulls at the Emirates.