Arsenal vs Brighton preview, team news, line-ups and predicted score

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Arsenal kick-off the weekend Premier League action when they take on Brighton & Hove Albion at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday lunchtime.

Mikel Arteta has built a squad capable of competing for the title as the Gunners have pushed Manchester City close in each of the last two campaigns. After finishing just two points behind the Cityzens last season, Arsenal will be hoping they can bridge the gap and finally clinch the title for the first time in 20 years.

Arteta has further strengthen his squad with the signing of Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori while Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino completed his move from Real Sociedad on Tuesday afternoon. Whether that alone is enough to beat Man City to the title remains to be seen, but the Gunners are expected to be right in the mix once again come May.

The North Londoners have made the perfect start to the 2024/25 campaign having won their opening two games. Arsenal eased to a comfortable 2-0 victory over Wolves in their opening match thanks to goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka.

They then faced a tough trip to Villa Park to face an Aston Villa side who did the double over them last season. Arteta finally got the better of Unai Emery as Arsenal ran out 2-0 victors in the Midlands. After David Raya had pulled off a stunning save to keep the scores level, Leandro Trossard came off the bench to open the scoring with his first touch. Saka then teed-up Thomas Partey to make it 2-0 and seal a huge victory for the Londoners – which means they are already three points better off compared to last seasons fixtures.

Arteta will have been delighted with the win over Villa but Arsenal now face another stern test against Brighton – who’ve also won their opening two games. It’s arguably a must-win for the Gunners as they have two huge away games against Tottenham and Manchester City coming up next after the international break, so they need to maintain the momentum heading into those pivotal games.

However, Brighton will be no push overs as they head to the capital off the back of two impressive wins. The Seagulls put on a show to thrash Everton 3-0 at Goodison Park on the opening weekend in what was new boss Fabian Hurzeler’s first competitive game in charge.

They followed that up with a dramatic late win over Manchester United last weekend. With the scores tied at 1-1 after United had a goal ruled out for an unfortunate offside call on Joshua Zirkzee, Brighton stole all three points thanks to a 94th minute header from Joao Pedro.

Brighton and Arsenal are two of four clubs, along with Man City and Liverpool, who boast maximum points from the opening two games, so at least one of those perfect records will end at the Emirates on Saturday.

Team news

Arsenal were dealt a blow last week when Gabriel Jesus picked up a groin injury in training. The Brazilian international missed the trip to Villa and underwent an MRI scan earlier this week. The results are not yet known but Jesus hasn’t trained this week and is expected to miss the game against Brighton this weekend.

Takehiro Tomiyasu will be another absentee as the Japan international is facing another spell on the sidelines with a knee injury that he sustained in pre-season. Kieran Tierney is also missing with a thigh injury.

Arsenal’s latest addition to the squad, Mikel Merino, has trained with his new team mates and is in contention to feature on Saturday. Although Arteta is unlikely to throw him straight in so a place on the bench is expected.

Eddie Nketiah will likely not be available for the Londoners as he’s expected to secure a move to Crystal Palace before deadline day.

Brighton have some injury issues of their own to contend with. Solomon March is out with a knee injury while new signing Matt O’Riley is a doubt with an ankle injury that he sustained during the 4-0 EFL Cup win over Crewe in midweek.

Brajan Gruda faces a late fitness test on a knock but Mats Wieffer is expected to be fit and in contention for the visitors.

Expected line-ups

Arteta is unlikely to tinker too much from the side that won at Villa but Leandro Trossard could have played his way into the Arsenal eleven following his superb impact off the bench at Villa Park. Gabriel Martinelli is likely to be the man to make way with Bukayo Saka certain to keep his place on the right flank.

Kai Havertz will lead the line up front once again in the absence of Jesus while Martin Odegaard will captain the Arsenal side. Declan Rice is a certain starter in midfield while Thomas Partey should keep his place with Merino unlikely to be ready to start after only a few days training with his new team mates.

Ben White, Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba will all start once again in defence but it will be interesting to see who starts at left-back. Oleksandr Zinchenko got the nod against Wolves while Jurrien Timber came in to start at Villa. Calafiori is also pushing to start so Arteta has plenty of options on the left side of his defence.

As for Brighton, Danny Welbeck is likely to start up front once again and face-off against his former side. Karou Mitoma and Yankuba Minteh should offer support along with Joao Pedro in attack.

James Milner should keep his place in midfield but Billy Gilmour is expected to miss out as he’s set to join Napoli. Lewis Dunk will marshal the Brighton defence along with Jan Paul Van Hecke, Joel Veltman and Jack Hinshelwood. New signing Ferdi Kadioglu is available but it may be too soon for him to start.

Likely Arsenal XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Trossard, Havertz

Likely Brighton XI: Steele, Hinshelwood, Van Hecke, Dunk, Veltman, Milner, Wieffer, Pedro, Mitoma, Minteh, Welbeck.

Prediction

This should be one of the best games of the weekend in the Premier League, so it’s no surprise that Arsenal vs Brighton tickets are set to be sold-out for this match.

Arsenal were hugely impressive against Villa and showed once again why they have the best defence in the league with a second consecutive clean sheet. They’ll hope to make it three from three with another shut out against Brighton at home this weekend.

The Seagulls have the potential to cause Arsenal problems and they’ve picked up some shock wins over the Gunners in recent years. However, this Arsenal side are so well organised and strong in defence, they should be confident of getting the three points.

With the likes of Saka, Trossard and Odegaard in attack, the Gunners should have too much firepower for Brighton, so we’re tipped Arsenal to win 2-0.  Arsenal 2-0 Brighton

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