Brighton & Hove Albion Vs Arsenal Prediction: The Gunners Want To Sharpen The Record At Amex Stadium

Mikel Merino, the mainstay in Arsenal's attack (photo: x @Arsenal)

JAKARTA - Brighton & Hove Albion will host Arsenal in the Premier League match on Saturday night January 4 at the Amex Stadium. Arsenal, who are in an impressive performance, hopes to continue their successive victory, while Brighton tries to bounce back after a series of draws.

Arsenal started 2025 with a 3-1 win over Brentford. Despite conceding first through Bryan Mbeumo, Gabriel Jesus equalized, before Mikel Merino and Gabriel Martinelli confirmed the Gunners' victory.

With a collection of 85 points in 2024, Arsenal is the team with the most points in a calendar year in the Premier League. However, they are still six points behind leaders Liverpool, who have one game less.

This success adds to Arsenal's unbeaten record to 12 games in all competitions, with nine of them ending in wins. However, this match is a new challenge for Mikel Arteta's side, as it is their first game outside London since Sporting Lisbon's 5-1 win over the Champions League in November 2024.

On the other hand, Brighton closed 2024 with a 2-2 draw against Aston Villa. Fabian Hurzeler's side trailed 1-2 to the 80th minute before Tariq Lamptey scored a spectacular equalizer. This is Brighton's third straight draw, having previously drawn against Brentford and West Ham.

However, Brighton's performance in the Premier League is decreasing. They have not won in the last seven games, with nine of 19 games this season ending in a draw. Brighton is currently in the middle of the standings, five points adrift of the European zone.

In the first meeting of the two teams this season, Brighton held Arsenal to a goalless draw at the Emirates, although they played with the player's advantage after Declan Rice's red card. However, Arsenal managed to win in their last two trips to Amex, scoring at least three goals in each match.

Brighton still has to play without a number of key players. Danny Welbeck (an ankle injury), Mats Wieffer (leg injury), Evan Ferguson (an ankle), James Milner (hamstring), and Ferdi Kadioglu (foot pattern) are ruled out. However, there is hope that Pervis Estupinan can return after recovering from illness, while Adam Webster has a small chance of returning from a hamstring injury.

Diego Gomez, who has just been brought in from Inter Miami, will not appear in this match.

Arsenal is also experiencing a crisis at the back, especially at the right-back position. Jurrien Timber is out of suspension, while Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are still recovering from a knee injury. Thomas Partey will most likely be relied on again as an emergency right-back.

In addition, Bukayo Saka (hamstring) and Raheem Sterling (lutut) are still absent, so Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, and Leandro Trossard are predicted to become the front line tridents. Ethan Nwaneri, who started against Brentford, is likely to return to the bench.

Arsenal are predicted to continue their slick performance by relying on attacking lines that are in the best form. Meanwhile, Brighton needs to improve their defense to stop the Gunners.

Estimated Lineup Of Players

Brighton: Verbruggen; Lamptey, Dunk, Van Hecke, Estupinan; Baleba, O'Riley; Adingra, Rutter, Mitoma; Pedro.

Arsenal: Raya; Partey, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Rice, Merino; Martinelli, Jesus, Trossard.

Score Prediction: Brighton & Hove Albion 1-3 Arsenal