Brighton-Arsenal is a match for the 18th day of the Premier League and is played on Saturday at 18:30: predictions.
Those who thought the overflowing Arsenal of the first half of the season might be somewhat affected by the unusual autumn break had to think again. Mikel Arteta’s team confirmed themselves as a perfect machine and showed no signs of letting up.
They certainly didn’t give them in the derby with West Ham, played on the traditional Boxing Day. It was a one-sided game (3-1) at the Emirates Stadium, had it not been for Benrahma’s penalty that momentarily gave the Hammers the lead. In the second half, however, the Gunners put things back on track, scoring three goals in little more than twenty minutes and sending virtually the entire attack (Martinelli, Nketiah and Saka) on the score-sheet. It was another incredible display of strength by Arsenal, who are increasingly first in the table. So far the London club has collected 40 points, the result of 13 wins, one draw and one defeat. The pressure from reigning champions Manchester City remains constant, but Pep Guardiola and his team remain -5 for the time being. Further behind are Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United.
De Zerbi on the Gunners’ way
The Brighton test is certainly one of the trickiest, but the Gunners, as well as having the second best defence in the league, are also strong away from home, where they have won more points than anyone, even Manchester City.
De Zerbi
Arteta will, however, have to prove stronger than even the cabal in the last Premier League game of 2022. Indeed, the Seagulls are one of the few teams with whom Arsenal have scored more defeats than wins since Brighton have been in the top flight. Roberto De Zerbi, excluding a few impromptu slips, is doing an all round good job since his time in England. He has won three of his last four league games – on Boxing Day he overwhelmed Southampton 3-1 – and is seventh, on 24 points like his predecessor Graham Potter’s Chelsea.
The Prediction
Brighton have been one of the few teams to beat Arsenal this year: last November’s League Cup match finished 3-1 to the Seagulls. This time Arteta will be playing with the starters, but it cannot be ruled out that Lallana and his teammates will make life difficult for him again. Victory for the Gunners is not a foregone conclusion, but they should get at least a point in a potentially entertaining, one-goal game.
Brighton-Arsenal
likely line-ups.
- BRIGHTON (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Veltman, Dunk, Colwill, Estupinan; Gilmour, Gross; March, Lallana, Mitoma; Trossard.
- ARSENAL (4-2-3-1): Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Xhaka, Partey; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Nketiah.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2
