Brighton vs Arsenal: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injuries
01/04/2025 02:00 AM
Arsenal will look to keep the pressure on Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table when they travel to face Brighton today.
The Gunners made it four wins in a row in all competitions in midweek as they came from behind to win 3-1 against Brentford.
The win moved Mikel Arteta’s side six points behind Liverpool and they could cut that gap to just three before Arne Slot’s side face Manchester United on Sunday.
Brighton, meanwhile, are winless in their last seven league fixtures, although the Seagulls have lost just twice during that run.
Ahead of their win against Brentford, Arsenal were handed a blow as Kai Havertz missed out entirely due to illness.
While it marked the first game that the German international had missed for the Gunners due to injury or illness, Arteta was confident that Havertz could play a part today.
‘Yes I think so. They (the players who were ill) will train today and if everybody is fine they should be available,’ the Spaniard toll a press conference on Friday.
In Havertz’s absence, Ethan Nwaneri made his first Premier League start and the teenager could continue on the right wing at the weekend after his impressive display.
Mikel Merino was also parachuted into the starting lineup as Declan Rice was rested due to a knock. The Englishman came on as a late second-half substitute and will hope to prove his fitness to play from the start today.
‘In his case especially, he plays so much football,’ Arteta said of Rice on Friday. ‘We have nine games in this period this month and he had some niggles in the last few games. He had to come off and we have to manage every player and there are no exceptions.’
Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli both got on the scoresheet on Wednesday and will be expected to be part of the attacking trio once more as Arsenal deal with a number of injuries to their front line.
Bukayo Saka is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines having undergone hamstring surgery, while Raheem Sterling could be available once again next week having picked up a knee injury in training just before Christmas.
‘I think he's starting to do some stuff on the pitch so that's great news,’ Artete said when asked about Sterling. ‘As quickly as possible we want him available. Let's see how he progresses this week and then see if we can go for the following week.’
In defence, Riccardo Calafiori made his first start since late November following a spell out with injury.
The Italian has endured an injury-affected start to his life at Arsenal and could be rotated for Myles Lewis-Skelly this evening if Arteta wants to ease the Italian back in gently.
Arsenal will have to make one change, though, with Jurrien Timber suspended for Saturday’s clash after he picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Brentford.
Ben White and Takehiro Tomiaysu remain sidelined with respective knee injuries.
Predicted Arsenal XI to face Brighton
Raya, Partey, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly, Rice, Odegaard, Havertz, Nwaneri, Jesus, Martinelli.
Where to watch Brighton vs Arsenal? Kick-off time and TV channel
Brighton vs Arsenal kicks off at 5.30pm on Saturday, January 4.
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch today’s game on Sky Sports Main Event with coverage starting at 5pm.
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