Arsenal welcome Brighton to the Emirates Stadium in a match day 3 Premier League action slated for Saturday, August 31, 2024.
Preview Of Arsenal Vs Brighton
Arsenal
The Gunners head into the game after securing victories in their first 2 games of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign.
Mikel Arteta’s appear to be ready for another title challenge and they are already accumulating the wins that could help them clinch the crown this term.
Arsenal commenced the campaign with a 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, courtesy of goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka.
Interestingly, they secured a statement win over Aston Villa in identical fashion, as they defeated Unai Emery’s side 2-0 at Villa Park.
Leandro Trossard came off the bench to put Arsenal into the lead before Thomas Partey sealed the win for the Gunners in the 77th minute.
Supporters of the North London side are hoping that they continue in their rich vein of form, as they aim to dethrone Manchester City.
Brighton and Hove Albion
The Seagulls head to the Emirates stadium full of belief, having broken the hearts of Manchester United fans with a last-minute winner at their Amex ground.
Brighton beat the Red Devils 2-1 in dramatic fashion at their home turf through goals from Danny Welbeck in the 32nd minute, and Joao Pedro in the 5th minute of stoppage time.
Amad Diallo had brought Manchester United back on level terms in the 60th minute, and 10 minutes later the Red Devils thought they had doubled their lead through Joshua Zirkzee, but their goal was chalked off for offside.
German tactician Fabian Hürzeler started his reign at Brighton with a 3-0 away win over Everton, courtesy of goals from Kaoru Mitoma, Danny Welbeck, and Simon Adingra.
The South Coast side is optimistic of a great season ahead, and they currently occupy the 2nd spot on the log with 6 points from 2 matches, the same number of points as Arsenal, who sit 3rd.
The Seagulls also battered Crawley Town 4-0 in the Carabao Cup 2nd round via goals from Adingra, Jeremy Sarmiento, Adam Webster, and Mark O’Mahony.
It will be fascinating to see where the pendulum will swing on Saturday, August 29, 2024, as records are expected to be tainted.
Both teams could lose their 100% start to the campaign if they play out a draw, while one team could also lose their unbeaten status.
Arsenal Team News
Mikel Merino is expected to be in the squad to make his Arsenal debut, although he would likely start off from the bench.
Gabriel Jesus was unavailable for their victory over Aston Villa due to a groin injury and he remains a doubt, while Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney are unavailable because of injury issues.
Transfer deadline day on Friday, August 30, will reportedly feature exits for the Gunners, with Eddie Nketiah and potentially Aaron Ramsdale on the way out of Arsenal.
Team News For Brighton
Brighton boss Fabian Hürzeler will be looking at handing Ferdi Kadioglu a debut while new signing Matt O’Riley needs surgery after injuring his ankle on his debut following his late introduction against Crawley Town.
Moreover, Solly March is still a long-term absentee, as he is still nursing a knee injury that he sustained against Manchester City in October 2023.
He is expected to return in October 2024, while Evan Ferguson and Pervis Estupinan will hope to feature after their return from injury.
Expected Lineup For Arsenal:
Raya (GK); White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Trossard
Expected Lineup For Brighton:
Steele (GK); Veltman, Dunk, Van Hecke, Kadioglu; Milner, Gilmour; Minteh, Pedro, Mitoma; Welbeck
Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Brighton
Kick-off Time And Date: 12:30 PM (WAT), August 31, 2024.
