Arsenal vs Brighton: Preview, predictions and lineups
It’s a battle of the 100% records on Saturday lunchtime as title hopefuls Arsenal welcome Brighton to the Emirates Stadium.
Both teams have started the 2024/25 Premier League season having won their opening two encounters. After thumping Everton away from home, Joao Pedro’s late header ensured Brighton got over the line against Manchester United last weekend, while Arsenal followed up their comfortable win over Wolves with an important victory at Aston Villa.
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners are gunning for title glory this term and a bright start to the season will certainly stand them in good stead given the difficulty of their schedule to begin the campaign. This is another tricky assignment against a rejuvenated Seagulls outfit.
Fabian Hurzeler, who’s become the second youngest Premier League manager in the competition’s history, has enjoyed an excellent start to life on the south coast, but the fiercest test of Brighton’s credentials arrives this weekend.
Here’s 90min’s preview of Saturday’s Premier League lunchtime kick-off.
Arsenal vs Brighton H2H Record (Last Five Games)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Arsenal |
Brighton |
|---|---|
|
Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal – 24/08/24 |
Brighton 4-0 Crawley Town – 27/08/24 |
|
Arsenal 2-0 Wolves – 17/08/24 |
Brighton 2-1 Man Utd – 24/08/24 |
|
Arsenal 2-0 Lyon – 11/08/24 |
Everton 0-3 Brighton – 17/08/24 |
|
Arsenal 4-1 Bayer Leverkusen – 07/08/24 |
Brighton 4-0 Villarreal – 10/08/24 |
|
Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal – 01/08/24 |
QPR 0-1 Brighton – 03/08/24 |
|
Country |
TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
|
United Kingdom |
discovery+, discovery+ App, TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate |
|
United States |
fuboTV, nbcsports.com, NBC Sports App, UNIVERSO NOW, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, USA Network, UNIVERSON |
|
Canada |
fuboTV Canada |
Arsenal should have new signing Mikel Merino available for Saturday’s game and the Spaniard could come straight into Arteta’s starting XI. However, Merino will likely come off the bench with the Gunners retaining the midfield configuration from their opening two games.
Gabriel Jesus missed last weekend’s victory at Villa Park with a groin injury but the Brazilian is not expected to be sidelined for very long. His status for Saturday is in doubt, though.
Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney remain out for the hosts.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Brighton (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Trossard.
Brighton have added a couple more fresh faces to their ranks since Saturday’s victory over Man Utd, although new boy Matt O’Riley picked up an ankle injury on his Seagulls debut against Crawley on Tuesday.
The midfielder needs surgery and won’t feature on Saturday. Brajan Gruda is also a doubt, but Ferdi Kadioglu should be included in Hurzeler’s matchday squad.
Solly March is out until October with a knee injury.
Brighton predicted lineup vs Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Steele; Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, Hinshelwood; Gilmour, Baleba; Minteh, Pedro, Mitoma; Welbeck.
Brighton certainly look emboldened under Hurzeler, but their outing last weekend showed some flaws within the German’s framework. While the Seagulls once again seem fun and dynamic, they lack control at transitions and the manager’s courageous style will undoubtedly be seized upon by the ruthless Gunners.
Arsenal have been efficient at the start of the new season, with their issues against deep-lying defences cropping up again. They’re unlikely to be met by a compact defence this weekend which means they should have plenty of joy in attacking areas.
Brighton may well have their moments given the talent they boast going forward, but they won’t be able keep Arsenal at bay this weekend. Expect Arteta’s men to make it three wins from three to start the new season.