Arsenal and Brighton both look to return to winning ways as they meet at the Emirates Stadium.
Victory would see Arsenal regain fourth for at least a few hours with Tottenham not in action until Saturday teatime, whereas Brighton can go 11th with a win if Southampton lose elsewhere.
Team News
Thomas Partey is ruled out for Arsenal after suffering “muscle damage to his right thigh” in Monday’s defeat at Crystal Palace.
Nicholas Pepe (illness) could return but Takehiro Tomiyasu (calf) and Kieran Tierney (knee) are absent.
Brighton will be without Jakub Moder due to a knee injury suffered during last weekend’s draw against Norwich.
Adam Webster (groin) and Moises Caicedo (illness) could both be in contention for this match.
Stat Attack
- Arsenal are unbeaten in five of their last seven meetings against Brighton (W2, D3, L2).
- Brighton have claimed four points from four previous Premier League trips to Arsenal (W1, D1, L2).
- Despite there having been three previous goalless draws in this fixture in all competitions, Arsenal and Brighton are yet to draw 0-0 in consecutive matches.
- Five of Arsenal’s last six league goals scored at home were scored after half-time.
- Five of Brighton’s ten clean sheets in all competitions this season were earned away from home.
Prediction
Having suffered a shock defeat at Crystal Palace last Monday in which they delivered a toothless performance lacking passion and shot finishing, Arsenal certainly will be glad to have this fixture at home because I do expect a reaction from Mikel Arteta’s Gunners.
Brighton meanwhile seem to have developed an allergy towards scoring goals because yet again they lacked the finishing touch, having dominated their goalless draw against Norwich yet converting only four of 31 shots onto target is a huge concern especially coming into this tough match.
With both teams needing improvement for different reasons coming into this match, I feel like the first goal will be key because if Brighton finally score then expect them to defend for their lives but if Arsenal strike early then this could be a routine outcome.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Brighton
Result: Arsenal 1-2 Brighton