Arsenal travel to the south coast on a four game away league clean sheet streak to take on Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton, aiming to make history by keeping 5 clean sheets in a row at away avenues and battling squarely for the league crown.
The last time they achieved such a feat was way back in 1997. Meanwhile, the clean sheet is not even the most impressive part of that away run, as the Gunners had won three straight games by a 5+ goal margin, before their barren draw with Manchester City.
Arsenal come into the game against Brighton on the back of a victory at Kenilworth Road
Mikel Arteta followed the nill nill draw against the Cityzens, with an outstanding 2-0 victory on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, against Luton Town as goals from Martin Odegaard and an own goal from Hashioka sealed the win.
The win was Mikel Arteta’s title chasing side’s 39th home league unbeaten run against newly promoted sides.
Additionally, for the first time in Mikel Arteta’s managerial career, Arsenal are in a 10-game Premier League unbeaten run, winning nine matches and drawing one of their last 10 matches.
The Seagulls on the other hand played out a 0-0 draw against Brentford in their mid week clash, and they quickly turned their attention to hosting title chasing Arsenal, despite their valiant effort in mid week.
Roberto De Zerbi’s men have won just one of their last five outings (D2,L2) and risk slipping away in the race for a European ticket.
While their current form at home is poor, the Amex stadium has become a fortress for the seagulls, boasting an ongoing 12-game unbeaten run at home (winning 6 and drawing 6).
Before the match, Brighton’s slim chances might appear attractive based on their home form. However, their record of only (W1,D1,L7) when starting a match as odds on favorite this season, might raise doubts about their ability to maintain their strong home form at the Amex, especially in light of Arsenal’s aspirations for the title.
De Zerbi will be buoyed by the return of Joao Pedro from injury at Brighton in midweek clash against Brentford, as the Brazilian has scored a brace three times in his last four scoring appearances.
Mikel Arteta on Arsenal’s strength this season
Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta has also shared his thoughts on whether this Arsenal squad is stronger than last season going into the run-in, and the Spaniard said:
“It’s certainly different to what we had last season, and the big injuries that we had in the key moments of the season.
“Touch wood that we can maintain them, and they can be there, but as well that we use them and they have the right mental and physical frame that they have to perform and have an impact in the team.”
Leandro Trossard on returning to Brighton this weekend in Arsenal’s next game: “Yeah I am looking forward to it. It is a big game! But we will now recover and get ready for the game!”
Mikel Arteta was cautious in his side’s draw against Manchester City as he hooked off talented winger Bukayo Saka in the second half.
The Gunners will surely be boosted by the recent form of club captain Martin Odegaard as he recorded his 10th goal of the season against Luton town.
The Norwegian always popped up at crucial moments with his fourth consecutive winning strike, three of which were game openers.
Brighton Team News
The hosts are still without long-term absentee Kaoru Mitoma and Billy Gimour, while Jack Hinshelwood, Evan Ferguson, and James Milner are all doubts.
Danny Welbeck could start up top against his former club having scored at Anfield last weekend.
Julio Enciso is trying to find his feet after a long spell out, and the talented Paraguayan could earn a start against the Gunners.
Arsenal Team News
There have been times when Arsenal have been beset by injuries this season, but at the moment, they appear to be in relatively rude health.
Long term absentee Jurrien Timber is still undergoing a process of rehabilitation from the ACL injury that has kept him sidelined since the opening weekend, but Arteta spoke with optimism about his return earlier this week.
The Gunners boss said: “He’s doing very well; he’s back training. He’s not far off, but the thing is that last step.
“He hasn’t played any minutes, so does he need a game with the U21s. I think he has a good chance of playing again this season.”
Brighton vs Arsenal predicted lineups
Brighton: (4-2-3-1) Verbruggen; Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, Igor; Gross, Baleba; Enciso, Pedro, Adingra; Welbeck.
Arsenal: (4-3-3) Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Jorginho, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli.
Prediction: Brighton 1-3 Arsenal
Kick-off Time And Date: 05:30 PM, Saturday, April 6, 2024
