Match Previews

Brighton vs Arsenal preview, team news, match tickets, and prediction

|
Image for Brighton vs Arsenal preview, team news, match tickets, and prediction

Brighton and Arsenal will clash for the second time in the Premier League this season. The first installment between the two sides ended in a comfortable 2-0 win for the Gunners. Mikel Arteta’s enterprising side have found their mojo back since the turn of the year and are breezing past opposition with ease, while Brighton have gone cold big time as of the time of writing.

Brighton and Hove Albion have been decent in the Premier League this season even with some departures in the summer. World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister joined Merseyside giants Liverpool while Moises Caicedo and a disgruntled Robert Sanchez also moved to London to join Chelsea. The likes of Deniz Undav, Jeremy Sarmiento, and Steven Alzate also secured loan departures to VFB Stuttgart, championship side West Brom, and Belgian side Standard Liege respectively.

The Seagulls also managed to secure the services of Joao Pedro from promotion hopefuls Watford, while exciting talent Carlos Baleba from Ligue 1 side LOSC Lille, Igor from Serie A’s Fiorentina and backup goalkeeper Bart Vebruggen from RSC Anderlecht. Simon Adingra and Ansu Fati are on loan deals from Union Saint Gilloise and Spanish giants Barcelona respectively. James Milner and Mahmoud were recruited on free transfers from Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund respectively.

Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton have struggled to replicate their electrifying start to the season which saw them win five of their first six Premier League matches while scoring at will. Since their humiliating 6-1 loss away at Villa Park, the home of Aston Villa, The Seagulls have struggled to pick up points, picking up just ten points from the 24 that have been available since their loss at Villa Park. Their recent form in their last five matches has been quite decent, having managed 1-1 draws away to Everton at Goodison Park and home to Sheffield United. Brighton have had mixed results in recent games and towards the end of 2023. They now look forward to finishing the season on a strong note.

On the other hand, Arsenal had a title challenge last season before falling at the final hurdle to Manchester City/ After that strong performance, the Gunners experienced a flurry of activity during the summer transfer window, witnessing significant player departures and notable acquisitions. Long-time servant Granit Xhaka departed for Bayer Leverkusen in the German Bundesliga, while Folarin Balogun moved to Monaco, goalkeeper Matt Turner to Nottingham Forest, Pablo Mari to Monza in the Italian Serie A, and Rob Holding to Crystal Palace.

Several players also went out on loan, with Kieran Tierney joining Real Sociedad, Nuno Tavares to Nottingham Forest, and promising winger Marquinhos to FC Nantes. Nicolas Pépé, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, and Sambi Lonkonga left on free transfers, finding new homes at Trabzonspor, Olympique Lyon, and Luton Town, respectively.

On the recruitment front, Arsenal secured prominent signings, including Declan Rice from West Ham, Kai Havertz from London rivals Chelsea, Jurrien Timber from Ajax Amsterdam, and the current starting goalkeeper David Raya on loan from Brentford.

On the pitch, Arsenal had a fine start to the season beating Nottingham Forest 2-1 before going ahead to beat Crystal Palace 1-0 at Selhurst Park with a strong defensive display. That result was followed by a 2-2 draw with Fulham at home then a run of back-to-back wins over Manchester United and Everton before a 4-0 win in the UEFA Champions League. Upon return to the Premier League, Arsenal drew 2-2 with Spurs before another run of three consecutive Premier League wins over Brentford, Bournemouth, and champions Manchester City.

The first defeat of the season came in round 11 against Newcastle in controversial fashion. Having put that defeat behind them, the Gunners embarked on a run of six consecutive wins in all competitions before a second loss of the season to Aston Villa. Arteta’s men ended the year with two consecutive losses against West Ham United and Fulham in the London derbies. 2024 started on a great note, inclusive of a win against Liverpool and they are keen to round things up with some strong run in the final weeks of the season. As of the time of writing, they sit closely with Manchester City and Liverpool in the three-horse title race.

Match tickets

This match at AMEX Stadium in Brighton kicks off on Saturday 6th April 2024, at 3 PM UK time.

The 31,800-capacity stadium with its electrifying atmosphere will host the Premier League title challengers and another enterprising side.

Getting tickets for the Brighton vs Arsenal tickets could take a lot of work given the standard of this game. Hence, you are advised to search ticket reselling sites should they be expectedly sold out on each club’s channels.

Team news

Lineups

Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton have been well known for exhibiting brilliance in the build-up since the gaffer arrived last season. They play a flexible, entertaining, and attacking brand of football. AFCON winner Simon Adingra has been excellent, while Joao Pedro continues to lead the line expertly for the Seagulls. Winger Solomon March and defender Jack Hinshelwood cannot be available for this game.

Brighton: Steele, Milner, Dunk, Van Hecke, Veltman, Grob, Baleba, Buonanotte, Adingra, Mitoma, Pedro.

Coach Mikel Arteta has some serious injury problems. Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey has been in and out of the team but could be available for this game. While Fabio Vieira is also set to return around the same time.

Meanwhile, Dutch defender Jurrien Timber, who has missed large parts of the season after sustaining an ACL in the first game of the season, could be able to play a part in the final games of the season for the Gunners.

Arsenal: David Raya; Oleksandr Zinchenko, Gabriel, William Saliba, Ben White; Kai Havertz, Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard; Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka.

Prediction

Games involving Brighton and Arsenal have always been good and enjoyable and this particular one should not be an exception. Mikel Arteta’s side have their sights on the PL title and in a game like this, only three points are important.

Brighton do have a decent home record and will be keen to keep it going while also pursuing their European ambition. In the end, Arsenal’s firepower should be enough to lead them to success here.a

Brighton 1-2 Arsenal

Share this article