Premier League | Gameweek 20

Jan 4, 2025 at 5.30pm UK

Broadfield Stadium

Brighton vs Arsenal

Match preview

Having won more Premier League points than any other team last calendar year - an extraordinary 85 - Arsenal serendipitously picked up the first three points on offer in 2025, knocking down a few more walls of the Brentford fortress.

The Gunners' recent defensive frailties on the road were ruthlessly exposed by Bryan Mbeumo early on, but a rejuvenated Gabriel Jesus brought the title outsiders back into contention before quickfire strikes from Mikel Merino and Gabriel Martinelli sealed the deal for Arsenal.

Arteta's men may be celebrating a fourth successive win in all competitions - and a third on the bounce in the Premier League - but leaders Liverpool's improving form means the second-placed Gunners remain six points adrift of the Reds at the top of the table, with a game in hand.

While Arsenal can only hope that one of their top-flight rivals will do them a favour against Arne Slot's side in the near future, they have mostly gone about their business with aplomb and professionalism, going unbeaten in 12 consecutive matches, nine of which they have won.

Saturday's game, however, will be Arsenal's first away from London since their 5-1 Champions League thrashing of Sporting Lisbon on 26 November, with each of their last nine matches played in the English capital - the longest run of consecutive matches in the city.

Former Gunners boss Unai Emery also oversaw a four-goal thriller at Villa Park on Monday night, with Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers seemingly clipping the Seagulls' wings after Simon Adingra had opened the scoring for Fabian Hurzeler's side.

However, an unlikely source of inspiration came in the form of Tariq Lamptey, who scored a superb equaliser in the final 10 minutes of normal time as Brighton ended 2024 with a third successive stalemate, having also taken points from Brentford and West Ham United on either side of Christmas.

However, the Seagulls' seven-game winless streak has seen their European push stall considerably, with Saturday's hosts sitting mid-table in the Premier League and five points adrift of Newcastle United in the Europa League.

Hurzeler's men have played out more stalemates than any other Premier League side this season - an unrivalled nine - and the Brighton boss could now become the first manager in the division since 1999 to draw 10 of his first 20 games in the competition.

One of those previous one-point draws coincidentally came at the Emirates earlier this season, when Declan Rice's baffling red card stole the headlines, but Arsenal have come up trumps on each of their last two visits to the Amex, scoring at least three goals on both occasions.

Recent Performance

Brighton & Hove Albion Premier League form:LDLDDD

Arsenal Premier League form:WDDWWW

Arsenal form (all competitions):WDWWWW

Team News

A sour note in Arsenal's midweek triumph was the yellow card for Jurrien Timber, whose absence leaves Arsenal without a recognised right-back while Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu recover from knee injuries.

Unless Arteta surprises by starting 18-year-old Joshua Nichols, Thomas Partey is likely to operate as a makeshift full-back again, opening the door for Rice or Kai Havertz, who missed the Brentford win through illness, to return to midfield.

With Bukayo Saka (hamstring) and Raheem Sterling (knee) both on the sidelines, Arteta handed Ethan Nwaneri his first Premier League start for Brentford, but it would be a surprise if the 17-year-old is able to keep his place given the short turnaround time.

While Arsenal have suffered a blow at the back, Brighton boss Hurzeler is hopeful that Pervis Estupinan will be fit to face the Gunners after missing the Villa game through illness.

Adam Webster also has a slim chance of returning from a hamstring injury that has kept him out for 13 games, while Jack Hinshelwood (knee) is close to a return, but Danny Welbeck (ankle), Mats Wieffer (leg), Evan Ferguson (ankle), James Milner (hamstring) and Ferdi Kadioglu (toe) are all sidelined.

The opening of the January transfer window also means that Diego Gomez's £11m move from Inter Miami has become official, but the midfielder will not be considered for his first start this weekend.

Possible starting lineup

Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:

Verbruggen; Lamptey, Dunk, Van Hecke, Estupinan; Baleba, O'Riley; Adingra, Rutter, Mitoma; Pedro

Arsenal possible starting lineup:

Raya; Partey, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Rice, Merino; Martinelli, Jesus, Trossard