Still on the rebound from last Saturday’s disappointing loss at Aston Villa, but likely less so from their Champions League draw at PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday night, on Sunday afternoon second-placed Arsenal play their 17th Premier League game of the season at home to Brighton and Hove Albion. The Gunners will be looking for revenge of sorts for last May’s 0-3 loss to Brighton at the Emirates, played in the thick of Arsenal’s forgettable and exhausted run-in when they dropped 15 of the last 27 points on offer after beating all contenders from August through March. Addressing the question of revenge for last year’s loss in Friday’s pre-match press conference, Arteta sidestepped the issue a bit saying “It was like the dream was almost over – not mathematically, but a big part of it. It was a really tough day.” In all competitions Brighton have been victorious on four of their last five trips to the Emirates, which few other teams can say. This time, the game being a midseason encounter, I expect the home side to be able to turn the tables on the Seagulls but wouldn’t count my eggs before they are hatched.
Expecting the Gunners to bag a gull or three before full time could call for a modicum of patience, as this southerly flock is known to be both mobile and unpredictable. The Gunners will have to attack them from a variety of angles, distances and velocities, and deliver some very well considered shots. But Brighton will not be coming North only to defend, so Arsenal’s defence must its maintain its shape and focus in preparation for the unpredictable moments when the avian horde attempts to storm the parapets.
Seagull Droppings
Brighton come into the game on two days fewer rest than Arsenal after Thursday evening they defeated Marseille in a home Europa League match that allowed them to finish top of their group ahead of the French side, but their most recent Premier League game, last Saturday, was a home draw with Burnley. The Seagulls occupy eighth spot in the table, just behind Manchester United and ahead of West Ham.
After last season’s sixth-place Premier League finish, their highest finish ever, Brighton may have slacked off a tad in league play so far this time around, especially defensively having scored 33 times but conceded 28, with six of those goals conceded to Aston Villa on September 30th. Brighton have failed to keep a Premier League clean sheet since they last came to the Emirates, 20 games ago. But their less-than-spectacular form, if you can call it that, shouldn’t be surprising as they have devoted so much energy to Europa League competition, including twin 2-0 home and away wins against Ajax in their first season in European football in their 122-year history. Brighton’s league form likely has also been limited by the sale of many of their recent stalwarts, including defender Cucurella to Chelsea and midfielders Mac Allister to Liverpool, Bissouma to Tottenham, and Caicedo to Chelsea, as well as the transfers of Ben White and Leandro Trossard to Arsenal. But the club has shown an amazing ability to find younger and cheaper replacements.
These are heady times for Brighton, who scaled the heights of the football pyramid since escaping relegation from the Football League in May 1997 after they were 11 points from safety six months prior, and stayed bottom of the old Division Three the entire time in-between. Roberto De Zerbi has done an amazing job after replacing Graham Potter as Brighton’s manager after many people thought Potter’s departure could harken a decline for the South Coast club. The one constant in the Brighton team since the club was promoted in 2017 is central defender and captain Lewis Dunk, but judging by recent signings the club clearly has its eyes on the future. Recent additions include 22 year old midfielder Gilmour who has played in 15 league games, 21 year old winger Adingra (four goals in 15 games), 19 year old striker Ferguson (six goals scored in 15 games), and 22 year old striker João Pedro (five goals scored in 16 games).
Brighton have a handful of players out injured at the moment, including forward Enciso, wingers Fati and March, and fullbacks Estupiñán and Lamptey, while center back Webster is an injury doubt, but ex-Gunner Danny Welbeck has been pronounced fit after eight weeks out of the squad and could make an appearance.
The Man in the Middle
Tim Robinson, a Sussex-affiliated referee, will take charge of an Arsenal match for the third time this season. It’s refreshing that the PGMOL has found a referee from any place else than the north of England, but I would observe that it is a pity if not a coincidence that Arsenal’s opponents on the day also happen to be Sussex-affiliated. If the VAR at Stockley Park has a thick northern accent I hope that Robinson will be able to make out what he is saying, but I digress.
Arsenal XI
Arsenal, who had already won their Champions League group, were able to rest a number of their starting team at Eindhoven in midweek, so Saka, Martinelli, Zinchenko, Ødegaard and Rice are all expected to return to the line-up having either been rested entirely, or used as late substitutes against PSV. Mikel Arteta, knowing that a return to winning ways in the Premier League is essential, is likely to put out this familiar team against Brighton:
Raya
White — Saliba — Gabriel — Zinchenko
Ødegaard — Rice — Havertz
Saka — Jesus — Martinelli
The ‘holic Pound
I think the captain must step up in this fixture that could be pivotal to our season, and Martin is up to the task so my prediction is for Ødegaard to score the winning goal in a come from behind 2-1 to the Arsenal after Brighton take a first half lead. I’m hoping with all my heart our path is easier than that, but starting with a more harrowing prediction helps stave off unpleasant surprises so if Brighton go up a goal early on there’s no need to panic or to retreat immediately behind the couch. Enjoy the game ‘holics, wherever you are watching, and I hope you are able to enjoy both halves but the second half in particular.
Cheers bt8. Great preview. I only have one remark: if gun and seagulls are positioned as in the photo, we might scare them off, but there’s no way on earth we’re hitting the target! 😉
Let’s hope for three points, easy and hard. I also wish for a swift journey both ways this time, but that’s beyond Mikel and the boys’ remit.
(Hoping they don’t shit on us, because there’s also that danger with seagulls).
Thanks bt8
Spot on although I rather fancy a 2-0 scoreline with Havertz probably being one of them.
UTA.
Enjoyable and insightful preview bt8! Funny too.
Brighton lately has given us as much trouble as any other PL team at Emirates, and I think De Zerbi is even a better manager than Potter and gets his team to play in constantly mutating shapes and inventive channels to attack. They won’t defend deep but we will need to improve the efficiency of our game, compared to our last couple of outings in the league, on both ends of the pitch to get the three points.
I think your team is the likeliest starting eleven. One change might be Jorginho and Rice both playing with Havertz on the bench. That gives our left side a better balance between attack and defense as Rice complements Zinchenko’s peripatetic playing style, which brings with it a singularly unique benefit of its own. Havertz has been in impressive form recently so likely he will keep his place and Zinchenko will need to up his defensive game a bit and avoid the odd mistakes.
Would be nice to see Danny back on the Emirates pitch again, even though in opposition colors. Even though he hadn’t played for us for that long, and even though he had spent first half of his career with the enemies, it’s hard to not think of him with anything but fondness.
Looking forward to a great performance and much needed return to the winning ways.
Come on Arsenal!
Thanks bt8, a fine preview of a tricky game.
I welcome Danny back as much as the next gooner but he has as annoying habit of scoring against his old clubs which I hope he stops today. I would like a 3-0 revenge beating for last season
Yeah, I like Welbz but I’m happy for him to stay on the bench or just come on when we’re 4-0 up.
Bt8
A fine and beautifully written preview . I watched the end of the Seagulls’ game against Marseille and the celebrations afterwards show what playing in Europe means to Brighton . That split focus is the main reason their league form hasn’t been as consistent and impressive as last term . They were by far the most emphatic winners at our place last year as our season subsided towards the end
I think you’ve guessed the team but hopefully we can have a more comfortable victory than you suggest . I’m hoping for 2-0 or 3-0 given their exertions on Thursday night . And let’s hope Ollie has a great journey both ways . That’s a huge commitment to the club that you demonstrate fortnightly .
I’m wearing a very colourful Arsenal Christmas jumper and hope to be picked out on TV ( not really ) . Incidentally my grandson is now the proud possessor of a signed Harry Kane Bayern shirt . He is still buzzing as the tour was tremendous apparently. The game is today
I acquired a last-minute ticket for last season’s game and found my seat located in the very front row, centre of the net, behind the Clock End goal (terrible location). From there, I was eye to eye with Marin Odegaard after about 15 minutes. There was a straight line, empty space between him, the back of the net, and me. “Shoot!” He didn’t follow my recommendation, passed sideways and the chance was gone. An event that would have changed the game in our favour.
My two other memories of that game were Caceido maiming Martinelli and Mitoma skinning Ben White repeatedly – oh yes, and Trossard withering terribly under the scrutiny of his former team mates and fans.
I’ve been in the ground thrice when we’ve lost to Brighton and it’s a habit that I’ve grown gradually to dislike. Consequently I’ve passed on a ticket offer for today and consequently, I think Arsenal’s prospects are greatly improved. A win of any size, flavour or description will bring early Christmas cheer.
Enjoy the game, Holics.
I think Tomiyasu would have started at RB today if fit to counter Mitoma. I hope Bennie White’s done his homework.
An excellent preview, bt8 and I think you’ve nailed the team. Your Stoic preparedness for a first half reverse is sensible as Brighton are a tricky opponent as is underlined by the recent results you cite. Their recent exertions against Marseille have to have an effect on their legs in the second half so a traditional 1-0 down, 2-1 up is a distinct possibility. However, our players will have no excuse for being taken by surprise and another slow start simply must be avoided. I expect a tense match but with good football on display from both sides and while I think that the close scoreline you predict is by far the likeliest outcome, TTG’s 2-0 or 3-0 would be much more gratifying.
A fine job indeed, bt8 – and good of you to take a tern at a seagulls preview 😉
And BtM 🤣 – how many football blogs would feature the word ‘thrice’ ?
I take that to mean ‘three declan rices’ and how good would that be ? 🙃
I’m hoping to catch a re-run of this one somewhere as there’s no TV coverage to record here and I’ll be out for my daughter’s birthday over game time in which case, from my point of view, any scruffy win will do although a fine performance is always preferable. Don’t really want this one hanging on a cliff edge, do we ? 😉
Thanks for a well resourced and amusing preview bt8.
The Seagulls h@ve proved to be our nemesis of late but we should now be more prepared for what they have to offer. Add to this a payback factor, getting 3 points to widen the gap with Emirates Oilers and, hopefully some fatigue from their European exertions on thurs. Most importantly though is btm’s gesture in not attending the match!
We all agree that we expect a full first XI to start the match, so, a nice 3-1 is to the good guys will do very nicely.
COYRRR
The team is exactly as predicted by bt8.
No Jorginho on the bench I noticed.
Thanks to all for reading and commenting. Now that I got Mikel’s selection on the money I’m hoping for the daily double when my exact scoreline comes in. 🤞 As Uply said, COYRRR
A blast from the past
https://www.bbc.com/sport/av/football/67734274
What a smile.
It’s interesting this season that Brighton’s “cheaper replacements” are not always younger, with Milner and Lallana in today’s team and and Welbz in the squad.
Brighton XI: Verbruggen, Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, Milner, Gilmour, Gross, Adingra, Lallana, Mitoma, Ferguson.
Not exactly clinical finishing so far.
I’m listening on Radio 5 Live while watch Wolves v Hammers on TV. Sounding like a movie I’ve seen before at the Emirates. 15 shots to nil but only three on target?
Gunnersaurus highest paid mascot in the Premier apparently. £70k per year? Whit?
Thought they made him redundant. Ozil still paying his wages via standing order and forgot to cancel.
£70k pw for 90 mins work isn’t to be sneezed at. Sanllehi agreed the deal with Saurus’ agent no doubt.
Gilmour protesting his innocence after a nasty tackle, the little fucker
1-0 but apart from finishing we have actually played really well. Kai the latest to miss a very presentable chance.
It must be easier to watch than it is to listen to, Matt. We seem to be missing chances left right and centre. Better keep the focus on hard. Nkteiah and Trossard – will we see some effort from Eddie? Will Trossard wither on the vine as he did in this game last year?
2-0, good boy Kai
No, it has been a tough watch at times BtM just because of nerves, though there has been some brilliant individual skills from Ode and Martinelli and a couple of others. Thé missed chances have been causing a bit of nail-biting I must admit.
ESR and Nelson on to see out the last 6 minutes.
£60 million down the drain…………:-) 🙂 🙂
a most comprehensive preview, bt8, and as comprehensive a 2-0 win as you’ll see. well done kai. and rice. and everyone. no passengers. so good.
also, yes we weren’t sharp with the final ball, but their keeper made at least one worldy save…
😂😂 yeah, what a waste of money
Very different game from last year and we are top again if only for a little while.
Their keeper had a good game to be fair and that kept the score down
Re: OM, “ there has been some brilliant individual skills from Ode and Martinelli and a couple of others”
I would say it was an outstanding team performance all around but with excellent individual skills by (other than the two you said) Jesus, Rice, Gabriel, Saliba and Saka. If Gross hadn’t missed that chance the daily double might even have come in for me but no complaints. Clean sheet, top performance against excellent opposition, and say we are top of the league. For a few hours at least. Come on whoever is playing against Liverpool
I think ManU need a Christmas miracle to get anything at Anfield. A draw and a couple of red cards would be fine.
Thomas Frank out! His team couldn’t even hold a lead at home against Aston Villa with his two best strikers unavailable. 😠
@32 bt8, red card turned the game in Villa’s favour after a shit house caused by Emi Martinez.
I won’t begrudge taking three points off Brighton. Yet, I would have been less stressed if we had been at least 2-0 up at halftime, as we should have been, rather than having to watch most of the second half fearful that we would batter the Seagulls into a 1-1 draw.
All mentioned in dispatches above deserved their accolades, but Rice was my MOTM. Ødegaard-Rice-Havertz is developing into a seriously elite midfield
Belated kudos to bt8 for a fine preview. On the money and funny.
Manure are useless but somehow still 0-0. It feels odd to want them to play well so I’m just hoping they can defend stubbornly.
Wouldn’t argue with Rice as MoTM, great player.
BtM@33: Emi Martinez and Neal Maupay on the same pitch? What could possibly go wrong?
Damp fart of a game at the Old T. Two poor teams. Antony seems to me to sum up pretty much everything that’s wrong with the red Man’s. The guy is quite hopeless. if he’s worth £80M – how much is Bukayo worth?
Time for us to lay the Anfield bogey.
BtM @ 32. Miracle and nearly oracle on the red cards. Well done.
Three points, Top of the League and waiting to board a Eurostar that…was not yet announced as delayed as I started typing but now is. Cause: late arrival of previous train. Mind you for now it’s just the boarding that is announced as delayed. So yeah the return of three points plus smooth travel is not yet happening. Glad I didn’t book the last train home today due to earlier kick off, mind. Don’t expect a big delay there.
Departure expected to be only 15 min late. That’s fine. Think I was slightly more anxious due to the last experience. I mean I’ve had a lot worse many times but two in a row would have been annoying….
Get home safely, Ollie.Great there points.
It looks like whoever was playing against Liverpool nicked two points off of ‘em and they were playing at the “mighty fortress that is Anfield” 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Top o’ the league just sayin’ like.
And what a trooper Ollie is back and forth to Paris each week. Supporter of the year for me.
.. De Paris chaque semaine
https://x.com/kevdavis736/status/1736413170359505065?s=61&t=cVFjCyGkt4y-Ne45LtfqkQ
Sky headline “Arsenal Secure Dominant Victory”
BBC headline: “Arsenal Edge Past Brighton”
Your choice.
Roberto De Zerbi after the game: “Arsenal are the best team we have played so far this season. We are not used to suffering in this way. We are used to controlling the game.”
Cheers Sancho. I think others are more worthy of that accolade. I miss a few matches and Paris is not a bad commute when there’s no glitch. Some people probably have longer journeys from within the UK. It’s just that occasionally it goes very spectacularly wrong.
As it is, boarding was efficient today so we departed only 5 min late and have already made up the delay.
So barring late drama or local transport woes, a good Sunday and I should be home at about 11pm.
I’d say.both are correct, bt8. I wasn’t feeling that confident in the five minutes leading to our second goal. It was very much :on edge’ at that stage.
*kicks ball*
Kai Havertz scores again!
An honour to accept the assist from Arsenal’s number one fan and Eurotunnel’s number one customer!
Great finish, Countrykai100!
More comments under the match report but I thought that was a sensational sexy football performance from our lads today.
Well in for the half-ton, C100 — and we didn’t even have to pay sixty million for you…
>>>>>>>