A whole lot has changed since that time, as Roberto de Zerbi left to Olympique Marseille and was replaced by Fabian Hurzeler, the youngest gaffer in the Premier League. Brighton’s start to the campaign has been excellent, winning comfortably away at Everton, before following it up with a last-gasp winner from Joao Pedro. Arsenal on the other hand, continued their great form from last season, commencing the campaign with a routine win over Wolves before getting some sweet revenge against former gaffer, Unai Emery.
Arsenal are overwhelming favorites to win Brighton but they are no pushovers, and I expect Mikel Arteta’s men to have enough in the tank to see off any potential threat Brighton can pose. Arsenal were quite busy on transfer deadline day, bringing on Neto from Bournemouth on loan to replace Aaron Ramsdale as the backup goalie to David Raya.
To team news, Mikel Arteta confirmed in his pre-Brighton press conference, Arsenal fans will have to wait a little longer to see their new man in action.
“It’s very unfortunate. Yesterday he had a collision and got a shoulder injury. He’s going to be out for a few weeks. It’s really bad luck and we were all very excited. He was looking very good, he landed on the floor, Gabi went on top of him and it looks like he’s got a small fracture probably. He was in so much pain, so we have to wait and see with the staff to do some more tests to have more conclusive answers.”
In addition to Merino, Arsenal will be without Kieran Tierney, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Gabriel Jesus, but there is enough depth in the squad to cater to the losses. Brighton on the other hand will be without Solly March and Mats Wieffer.
The game will serve as a homecoming for Danny Welbeck, that served the club for a couple of years. Welbeck has started the new Premier League campaign with two goals from his two games thus far, so Arsenal will need to be wary of him.
Arsenal and Brighton Predicted Lineups
Arsenal: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Brighton: Steele; Veltman, van Hecke, Dunk, Hinshelwood; Milner, Baleba, Pedro; Minteh, Welbeck, Mitoma
Injury / Suspension Updates
Arsenal: Kieran Tierney (knee), Takehiro Tomiyasu (calf), Gabriel Jesus (groin)
Brighton: Solly March (knee), Mats Wieffer (muscle)
Form Guide
Arsenal Form
Last Five Games: W W
Last Result: Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal (Trossard 67′, Partey 87′)
Leading Goalscorer: Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard, Thomas Partey (1)
Brighton
Last Five Games: W W
Last Result: Brighton 2-1 Manchester United (Welbeck 32′, Pedro 90′ | Amad 60′)
Leading Goalscorer: Danny Welbeck (2)
Gooner Daily predicts a 2 – 0 win.
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