It's a battle of 100% records on Saturday lunchtime as title hopefuls Arsenal welcome Brighton to the Emirates Stadium.
Both teams have started the 2024/25 Premier League season having won their opening two matches. After beating Everton away from home, Joao Pedro's late header ensured Brighton went over the line against Manchester United last weekend, while Arsenal followed up their comfortable victory over Wolves with a vital victory at Aston Villa.
Mikel Arteta's Gunners are determined to claim title glory this season and a strong start to the season will stand them in good stead given their tough start to the campaign. This is another tricky assignment against a rejuvenated Seagulls outfit.
Fabian Hurzeler, who became the second-youngest Premier League manager in the competition's history, has enjoyed a fine start to life on the south coast, but the toughest test of Brighton's credentials comes this weekend.
Here it is 90 min the first preview of the Premier League lunchtime on Saturday.
Arsenal vs Brighton H2H Record (Last Five Matches)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Arsenal |
Brighton |
|---|---|
|
Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal – 24/08/24 |
Brighton 4-0 Crawley Town – 27/08/24 |
|
Arsenal 2-0 Wolves – 17/08/24 |
Brighton 2-1 Man Utd – 24/08/24 |
|
Arsenal 2-0 Lyon – 11/08/24 |
Everton 0-3 Brighton – 17/08/24 |
|
Arsenal 4-1 Bayer Leverkusen – 07/08/24 |
Brighton 4-0 Villarreal – 10/08/24 |
|
Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal – 01/08/24 |
QPR 0-1 Brighton – 03/08/24 |
|
The country |
TV channel/live streaming |
|---|---|
|
United Kingdom |
discovery+, discovery+ app, TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate |
|
United States |
fuboTV, nbcsports.com, NBC Sports App, UNIVERSO NOW, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, USA Network, UNIVERSON |
|
Canada |
fuboTV Canada |
Arsenal should have new signing Mikel Merino available for Saturday's game and the Spaniard could slot straight into Arteta's starting XI. However, Merino is likely to come off the bench with the Gunners retaining pitch adjustments from their first two games.
Gabriel Jesus missed last weekend's win at Villa Park with a groin injury but the Brazilian is not expected to be sidelined for long. His form on Saturday is questionable, however.
Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney remain out for the hosts.
Arsenal predicted to face Brighton (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Party, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Trossard.
Brighton added some new faces to the squad from Saturday's win over Man Utd, although new boy Matt O'Riley picked up an ankle injury in his Seagulls debut against Crawley on Tuesday.
The midfielder needs surgery and will not feature on Saturday. Brajan Gruda is also a doubt, but Ferdi Kadioglu should be included in Hurzeler's matchday squad.
Solly March is out until October with a knee injury.
Brighton predicted to play against Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Steel; Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, Hinshelwood; Gilmour, Baleba; Minteh, Pedro, Mitoma; Welbeck.
Brighton look confident under Hurzeler, but their exit last weekend showed the flaws in the German squad. While the Seagulls once again look exciting and dynamic, they cannot handle change and the manager's bold style will undoubtedly be picked up by the ruthless Gunners.
Arsenal have been effective at the start of the new season, and their problems against deep defense have resurfaced. They are unlikely to be met by a compact defense this weekend which means they should have plenty of joy in attacking areas.
Brighton may have their moments given the talent they boast going forward, but they won't be able to keep Arsenal out this weekend. Expect Arteta's men to make it three out of three to start the new season.
Prediction: Arsenal 3-1 Brighton
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