Brighton And Hove Albion Vs Arsenal: More Than Just Samai Record Not Conceding

Arsenal Captain Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka are the mainstays in the match against Brighton and Hove Albion. (X/@Arsenal)

JAKARTA - Arsenal have ambitions to match their record of never conceding during five away matches against Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium, Saturday, April 6, 2024 evening WIB. However, the match was more than a record hunt because there was a crucial mission to seize the English Premier League title.

Arsenal will match the club's record for not conceding five away games. The Gunners' 1996/1997 season.

At that time, Arsenal drew goalless against Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur in The North London Derby. Next, they beat Everton, Southampton and Chelsea without ever conceding.

Arsenal under manager Mikel Arteta have also made impressive notes because they did not concede against West Ham United, Burnley, Sheffield United, and Manchester City.

The final match with a 0-0 draw makes Arsenal keep the competition with Liverpool who lead the standings.

If he doesn't concede again against Brighton, then Arsenal will match that record. But this North London club is not just chasing records.

Victory is very important because it will bring Arsenal back to the top and try to keep it until the end of the competition. This is Arteta's target for Arsenal.

Arsenal are still stuck in second place with 68 points. Martin Odegaard et al are two points adrift of Liverpool who won 3-1 over Sheffield United in the midweek match. Meanwhile, Man City, who is ranked third, has 67 points.

Arsenal will take the top spot if they beat Brighton. They also hope Liverpool lose points visiting Old Trafford to face their rivals, Manchester United, in The North West Derby.

"The points are very close. So we'll see how many points the league has won after the last game. I'm sure we have a good chance," said manager Mikel Arteta.

"We are not yet at the top. We must be able to win and win. That is the only opportunity that must be done until the end of the competition," he said.

In the match against Brighton, Arteta was still able to field Bukayo Saka who was injured against Man City. He was absent when Arsenal won 2-0 over Luton Town.

Meanwhile, midfielders Declan Rice and Jorginho, striker Gabriel Martinelli, defender Jakub Kiwior will be the first choice.

In the previous match, Arteta rotated the players by not playing Rice, Jorginho and Gabriel. Now, they are prepared to start.

Meanwhile, Brighton lost mainstay wingerwa Mitoma who suffered a back injury. But midfielder Billy Gilmour, who was injured in his knee, will be absent until May 2024.

Di depan, mantan striker Arsenal Danny Welbeck akan menjadi pilihan pertama. Sedangkan Joao Pedro bermain di belakang Welbeck.

Robert De Zerbi's team is not consistent enough. This is what makes them move more on the middle board.

In the last two away games, they lost 2-1 against Liverpool and drew 0-0 at Brentford.

But The Seagulls have a good record in home games. They have only drawn once and won four times in the last five games at home. This is valuable capital to face Arsenal.

However, this time Brighton is facing a team that is on fire and has ambitions to win the Premier League title for the first time since 20 years ago.

Arsenal's high motivation could force Brighton to lose at home.

Forecast Of Lineup Of PlayersBrighton And Hove Albion (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, Igor; Baleba, Gross; Enciso, Pedro, Adingra; Welbeck

Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Jorginho, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli