WHO: Brighton vs Arsenal
What: English Premier League
Where: AMEX Stadium, Brighton, United Kingdom
When: 12:30pm (12:30 GMT) Saturday
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Mikel Arteta says Arsenal need to “pay back” their bid to become English champions following two painful misses.
The second-placed Gunners, who have replaced Manchester City for the past two seasons, are six points behind Arne Slott's Liverpool who have a game in hand, having played half of their league games.
Arsenal beat Brentford 3-1 in their final game on Wednesday but stumbles in October and early November mean the Gunners are playing and Arteta on Friday pleaded for solidarity with his men, who travel to face midfield Brighton on Saturday.
“We need to show the same consistency and more because last year, we were the best team in the league, we broke various records and we didn't win the big cup, so there is something missing,” he said. From Spain.
“It will be very thin, small, you can take games and other events. But in the end, we are very close and we just have to turn the coin in the other direction to make this happen.
“This will only happen if we do what we have to do and what we can control. Everything else is out of our hands.”
Arsenal are looking to win their first Premier League title since 2004 but will be without Bukayo Saka until March after the England winger was injured on the pitch against Crystal Palace last month.
“No one player is going to play nine games in a row, it's impossible,” Arteta said.
He added: “We need more attacks, we need more players and more flexibility in the field. Based on this, we will make decisions and the way the players play – it's that simple.”
The coach of the Arsenal team has said that he does not know if the team will persist in the January window.
“We are focusing on the players we have,” he said. “When there is something on the market that we can afford and believe will have an impact on the community, we should be open to it.
“We have the ability to change the game team on windows, but for now, this is what we have.”
Arsenal's win over Brentford has closed the gap between Liverpool and six points 🫴# Festive Updates pic.twitter.com/JAIzpRDlkG
– Premier League (@premierleague) January 1, 2025
Brighton team news
Danny Welbeck and Evan Ferguson both remain sidelined through injury, while new signing Diego Gomez is still getting some fitness.
Adam Webster will return to the squad after a thigh injury, while Jack Hinshelwood is also expected to feature, but Pervis Estupinan faces a late fitness test after being ill.
Brighton predictions:
Bart Verbruggen, Lamptey, Tariq van Hecke, Lewis Dunk, Igor Julio; Carlos Baleba, Yasin Ayari; Brajan Gruda, Julio Enciso, Simon Adingra; John Pedro.
Arsenal news
Arsenal will welcome their star player, Kai Havertz, to illness.
Jurrien Timber misses out with a one-match ban, while Raheem Sterling, Bukayo Saka, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu all remain sidelined through injury.
Arsenal predictions: David Raya; Jakub Kiwior, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Riccardo Calafiori; Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, Mikel Merino; Ethan Nwaneri, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli.
Head to head
Brighton have failed to win in their last four home games against Arsenal with the Gunners winning three of those games.
The Seagulls have won their last seven meetings with the North Londoners – all of those wins have come at the Emirates Stadium.
Next stop: Matchweek 20 🚂 pic.twitter.com/bhpb6jbKzT
– Premier League (@premierleague) January 2, 2025