Brighton vs Arsenal – Match preview and team news | OneFootball

Arsenal travel to the South Coast to face Brighton in this weekend’s evening kick-off.

The Gunners became the first Premier League team to win in 2025 after they conquered Brentford away from home.

Kai Havertz is expected to return to the matchday squad after recovering from illness. Jurrien Timber is suspended after being handed his fifth yellow card of the campaign on New Year’s Day.

Bukayo Saka, Raheem Sterling, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ben White are not in contention to feature. However, Mikel Arteta has revealed that the latter may be reintroduced to action in the coming weeks.

Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton came from behind to draw 2-2 at Aston Villa last weekend.

There is uncertainty over Pervis Estupinan’s availability after the full-back missed the game at Villa Park through illness. Evan Ferguson and Ferdi Kadioglu are both ruled out with injuries but Adam Webster is poised to return after being absent since early October.

New signing Diego Gomez will be given time to integrate after the 21-year-old midfielder arrived from Inter Miami.

Brighton vs Arsenal – Match preview and team news

Form

Brighton: DLDDD

Despite avoiding defeat in four of their last five encounters, Brighton haven’t won in seven Premier League games.

Nothing could separate the Seagulls from Aston Villa, Brentford and West Ham over the last few weeks.

Simon Adingra opened the scoring against the former on Monday night before their lead dissipated at Villa Park. Tariq Lamptey restored parity to make it 2-2 in the closing stages with a rasping volley that has been nominated for the December Goal of the Month Award.

Fabian Hurzeler’s men last won at Bournemouth in late November. Their seven-game winless run has included disappointing draws with relegation candidates Leicester City and Southampton and a poor 3-1 defeat at home to fierce rivals Crystal Palace.

Arsenal: WDWWW

Arsenal commenced the new year with a resilient performance at Brentford.

The Gunners fell behind to Bryan Mbeumo’s opener but responded excellently to win 3-1. Teenage prospect Ethan Nwaneri starred as Mikel Arteta’s side ruthlessly took control of proceedings.

Goals from Mikel Merino, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli meant Arsenal became only the second team to beat Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium this term.

That result extended their unbeaten run to 12 matches in all competitions. Their festive period has been particularly productive with four successive victories in a fortnight.

Last Meeting: Arsenal 1-1 Brighton, Premier League, 31st August 2024

A controversial red card for Declan Rice saw the game end level between Arsenal and Brighton last time out.

Brighton imposed themselves on proceedings early on with Yankuba Minteh and Kaoru Mitoma going close.

But indecisive defending from Lewis Dunk allowed Arsenal to strike first. Bukayo Saka found Kai Havertz, who managed to lift the ball over the onrushing Bart Verbruggen to make it 1-0.

Rice entered referee Chris Kavanagh’s book just before the half-time whistle after a reckless challenge on Joel Veltman.

Shortly after the break, an altercation between the two players resulted in the Englishman receiving his marching orders. Veltman tried to play a free-kick quickly, but Rice tapped the ball away while the Dutchman was in the process of a kicking motion.

The Brighton player ended up kicking Rice, but with the rule around delaying the restart strictly enforced, Arsenal were reduced to ten men.

The Seagulls capitalised on the numerical advantage to restore parity within ten minutes of the sending-off. David Raya could only parry Minteh’s shot into the path of Joao Pedro and the Brazilian converted from close range.

Predicted Lineups

Brighton: Verbruggen; Lamptey, Van Hecke, Dunk, Veltman; O’Riley, Baleba; Minteh, Rutter, Mitoma; Pedro

Arsenal: Raya; Partey, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Merino; Jesus, Odegaard, Martinelli; Havertz.

Who is the referee?

Anthony Taylor will be the match official. He will be assisted by Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn while Sam Barrott will be the fourth official. The VAR will be Darren England and he will be assisted by Akil Howson.

What channel is Brighton vs Arsenal on?

Brighton vs Arsenal will be available to watch on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Ultra, Sky Go UK and NOW UK.

What time is kick-off?

Kick-off at the American Express Stadium will be at 17:30 GMT on Saturday 4th January 2025.

Odds

Brighton – 7/2

Draw – 11/4

Arsenal – 4/5

Read – One ideal signing for each Premier League club this January

See more – Eight talking points ahead of the Premier League weekend

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