Who: Brighton vs Arsenal
What: English Premier League
The place: AMEX Stadium, Brighton, United Kingdom
When: 12:30pm (12:30 GMT) on Saturday
Comply with Al Jazeera’s stay picture build-up and textual content commentary stream.
Mikel Arteta says Arsenal should “flip that coin” of their quest to be topped champions of England following two agonising near-misses.
The second-placed Gunners, runners-up to Manchester Metropolis over the previous two seasons, are six factors behind Arne Slot’s rampaging Liverpool, who’ve a recreation in hand, having performed half their league fixtures.
Arsenal beat Brentford 3-1 of their final match on Wednesday however stumbles in October and early November imply the Gunners are enjoying catch-up and Arteta on Friday pleaded for consistency from his males, who journey to face mid-table Brighton on Saturday.
“We have now to point out the identical stage of consistency and a bit extra as a result of the final yr, we have now been the most effective group within the league, damaged varied data and nonetheless haven’t received a significant trophy, so one thing is lacking,” mentioned the Spaniard.
“It’s going to be very skinny, small particulars, you may choose up sure video games and conditions. However on the finish, we’re so shut and we simply should flip that coin to the opposite facet to make it occur.
“That’s solely going to occur if we do what we have now to do and what we will management. The remainder is out of our palms.”
Arsenal are bidding to win their first Premier League title since 2004 however are set to be with out Bukayo Saka till March after the England winger suffered a hamstring damage towards Crystal Palace final month.
“There’s not one participant that’s going to play 9 video games in a row in that place, it’s not possible,” mentioned Arteta.
He added: “We want extra risk, we want extra gamers match and rotation in that unit. In relation to that, we’ll make choices and as nicely, gamers’ performances – that’s easy.”
The Arsenal boss mentioned he was uncertain whether or not the membership would strengthen within the January switch window.
“The main focus is on the gamers that we have now,” he mentioned. “When one thing is available in the market that we will afford and imagine goes to have an actual influence on the group, we have now to be open to that chance.
“We have now the power to vary the squad within the home windows, however in the mean time, the main focus is on what we have now.”
Arsenal’s win over Brentford closes the hole on Liverpool to 6 factors 🫴#FestiveFixtures pic.twitter.com/JAIzpRDlkG
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 1, 2025
Brighton group information
Danny Welbeck and Evan Ferguson each stay absent by means of accidents, whereas the brand new signing, Diego Gomez, remains to be gaining match health.
Adam Webster returns to the squad following a thigh damage, whereas Jack Hinshelwood can be set to function, however Pervis Estupinan faces a late health take a look at following sickness.
Predicted Brighton line-up:
Bart Verbruggen, Lamptey, Tariq van Hecke, Lewis Dunk, Igor Julio; Carlos Baleba, Yasin Ayari; Brajan Gruda, Julio Enciso, Simon Adingra; Joao Pedro.
Arsenal group information
Arsenal welcome again their high scorer, Kai Havertz, from an sickness.
Jurrien Timber misses out as a consequence of a one-match ban, with Raheem Sterling, Bukayo Saka, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu all nonetheless sidelined by means of damage.
Predicted Arsenal line-up: David Raya; Jakub Kiwior, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Riccardo Calafiori; Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, Mikel Merino; Ethan Nwaneri, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli.
Head-to-head
Brighton have didn’t win of their final 4 residence matches towards Arsenal with the Gunners successful three of these video games.
The Seagulls have claimed victory in three of their final seven conferences with the North Londoners – all of these victories got here at Emirates Stadium.
Subsequent cease: Matchweek 20 🚂 pic.twitter.com/bhpb6jbKzT
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 2, 2025
