Arsenal host Brighton in a Premier League blockbuster at the Emirates Stadium.
Sat third and second respectively, victory would see Arsenal or Brighton go top until at least Saturday evening.
Team News
Mikel Merino is ruled out for Arsenal with a shoulder injury, after joining from Real Sociedad this week.
Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) and Kieran Tierney (hamstring) will again be absent.
Brighton will be without Matt O’Riley after he suffered a serious ankle injury on his debut, in their 4-0 Carabao Cup win against Crawley Town.
New signing, Ferdi Kadioglu is sidelined after he suffered a muscle injury in training.
Brajan Gruda and Mats Wieffer (both knock) are doubtful but Solly March (knee) remains absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Arsenal host Brighton at Emirates Stadium on Saturday 31 August at 12:30pm BST, live on TNT Sport 1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Arsenal have won three of their last five league meetings against Brighton (W3, L2).
- Brighton have won three of their last five league trips to Arsenal (W3, L2).
- Kai Havertz scored in both of Arsenal’s wins over Brighton last season.
- Havertz has scored four goals in three of Arsenal’s last four home matches.
- Brighton’s Danny Welbeck is looking to score in three consecutive matches for the first time since December 2013 – January 2014, when he was at Manchester United.
Prediction
Having endured a difficult test at Aston Villa in which they came through with another 2-0 win, Arsenal already look to be doing what title-winning teams do and grind out results with clinical moments even when not at their best.
Brighton meanwhile continue to look like they might cause some issues this season given how deep they dug to beat Manchester United, before clinically dispatching Crawley in the cup despite a “wild” scruffy performance.
I am therefore looking forward to how both teams match up against each other here because this could be either scrappy or an entertaining contest, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Brighton can snatch a draw.
Prediction: Arsenal 1-1 Brighton
Result: Arsenal 1-1 Brighton