Premier League: Gunners are Ready to Rock in Brighton

Brighton & Hove Albion v s Arsenal

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal take their title chase to the south coast on Saturday for a mouth-watering clash with tenth placed Brighton and Hove Albion.

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler made a superb start to his Premier League career but the Texas born German coach is finding out just how tough the English top flight can be, and his team is without a win in seven games in all competitions. Meanwhile Arteta’s title hopes are still alive and kicking and the Gunners come into the clash in second place and on a four match winning run.

The Seagulls come into the game on the back of a hard earned 2-2 draw away to Aston Villa while Arsenal came from behind to win 3-1 on a visit to Brentford,. and the Londoners are acutely aware they can’t afford to drop too many points if they are to chase down league leaders Liverpool. The Gunners will mean business when they rock up at the Amex.   

 

Talking Points

Hurzeler can learn from experience

The youngest manager in the Premier League, at 31 years of age, Brighton’s boss still has plenty to learn but he already has experience of the tough times, having endured a similar winless streak at St Pauli, and he is keen to adapt quickly to his new environment, saying: “The experience gives you orientation in how to behave in these situations and how to come back to the results. In the end, there are some patterns you can adjust. We have had some good performances. Always trust the process. We are on the right way.”

Brighton have suffered with injuries in recent weeks and Hurzeler has some players coming back, with key wingback Pervis Estupian and centre back Adam Webster both back in the fold, alongside long term absentee Solly March, who has rejoined the attacking unit. Experienced striker Danny Welbeck has been ruled out and the Arsenal game is too early for new signing Diego Gomez who has just arrived from Inter Miami.

Hurzeler says his team needs push all limits in every phase of the game and show courage in possession if they are to have any chance of beating the high-flying Gunners.            

After scoring just one goal in two games, a 1-1 draw with West Ham United and a 0-0 with Brentford, Brighton were more clinical in front of goal against Villa and earned a deserved 2-2 draw as Tariq Lamptey scored a late stunner.

 

Gunners are still in the hunt

After a difficult Christmas period for London rivals Chelsea, the latest Premier League 2025 betting odds have installed Arteta’s Gunners as clear second favourites for the title and quite possibly the only real threat to Arne Slot’s Liverpool. After struggling to a frustrating 0-0 draw against Sean Dyche’s Everton the Gunners have been firing on all cylinders and have had a very productive festive period, beating Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup and winning three Premier League games, scoring 12 goals in the process.      

Kai Havertz has scored seven and that makes him Arsenal’s top scorer as Arteta’s team has shared the goals around. The recalled Gabriel Jesus has three goals now and six in all competitions in four games, and he scored a real strikers’ goal to level the scores in the 3-1 win away to Brentford. Jesus popped up to nod home a return ball after Bees keeper Mark Flekken had parried a fierce shot from Thomas Partey. Mikel Merino and Gabriel Martinelli made the points safe and the Gunners started the New Year with a bang.      

Skipper Martin Odegaard has just one goal this season but he has had long lay-offs and surely he’ll be back in the goals soon, and when Bukayo Saka returns from injury Arsenal will be back to full strength. Defender Jurrien Timber will miss the Brighton game having picked up another booking against the Bees.   

 

History

These encounters have been well contested over recent years and the Seagulls have had plenty of success, winning six and drawing four of the 18 meetings. Arsenal have won eight, and the Gunners took three points away from the Amex Stadium last season with a 3-0 win in April.    

With five victories and one draw Arsenal’s recent form is superb and they meet a team which has struggled to get a win over the line, with four draws and two defeats from the last six games.  

The Seagulls have only lost once at home this season, winning three and drawing five.  

 

Betting Tip

Arsenal and Palace fans will be watching the Premier League 2025 updates closely on Saturday afternoon as fixtures affecting the top and bottom kick off at 3pm, and then, at 5-30 UK time the Gunners and Seagulls will clash in a classic south coast rumble.  

At SBOTOP odds of 3.88 the Seagulls are outsiders, but with a real chance of upsetting the Gunners who are priced at 1.71 to win, with the Draw at 3.52. But the momentum is with the visitors and Arteta’s team will be hard to resist.

   

●●●

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS

Stay updated with everything sports and betting.

Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.