Arsenal’s pursuit of the Premier League title continues as they take on Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday night at the Amex, looking to build on the positive momentum created by derby wins over Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur in their last two fixtures.
The Gunners still have a five-point lead over Manchester City, who narrowly beat Leeds United at Elland Road on Saturday evening. The Citizens host relegated-threatened Nottingham Forest at the same time Arsenal visit Brighton on Wednesday.
While the victory over Chelsea was certainly nervy, Arteta will take solace from the fact that his team were able to see the game out and grind their way to another important three points.
The Spaniard will no doubt be confident of securing another win when his team travel to the south coast to face a Brighton side languishing in mid-table. The Seagulls haven’t beaten Arsenal in East Sussex since Neal Maupay scored a 95th-minute winner against Arteta’s men during project restart in 2020.
| Date | Result | Competition |
| 27/12/2025 | Arsenal 2-1 Brighton | Premier League |
| 29/10/2025 | Arsenal 2-0 Brighton | Carabao Cup |
| 04/01/2025 | Brighton 1-1 Arsenal | Premier League |
| 31/08/2024 | Arsenal 1-1 Brighton | Premier League |
| 06/04/2024 | Brighton 0-3 Arsenal | Premier League |
| 17/12/2023 | Arsenal 2-0 Brighton | Premier League |
Arsenal team news vs Brighton, Declan Rice injury update
Declan Rice was forced off the pitch during the second half of Arsenal’s encounter with Chelsea, with Christian Norgaard replacing the England international in a rare substitution. This raised alarm bells over the midfielder’s potential availability for the trip to Brighton, although Arteta confirmed in his press conference on Friday that Rice is likely to be fit.
“I hope so [Rice will play], he was much better today,” the manager said.
Meanwhile, Martin Odegaard missed out altogether on Sunday, and it’s still not yet clear whether he has shaken off his knee problem. Arteta was coy on the Norwegian’s availability, stating simply: “We’ll see.”
Elsewhere, Ben White won’t feature against the Seagulls as he continues to find it difficult to reach full fitness, while Kai Havertz is likely to be in the green zone. David Raya has been passed fit following an injury scare in the dying embers against Chelsea, while Mikel Merino remains out and isn’t close to a return.
“David is good, good to go,” Arteta said on Friday.
“And Ben, yes Ben is not available. Yeah, especially Kai, he’s done a part of the session, so we’ll wait and see if he is okay.”
Predicted Arsenal XI vs Brighton
Arsenal looked fatigued in the latter stages of the Chelsea clash, and this could well feed into Arteta’s selection for the Brighton game. That said, the Gunners’ weekend fixture is an FA Cup tie away at Mansfield, which may present the divisive head coach with a more suitable opportunity to rest players.
After being declared fit, Raya will start in goal, with Jurrien Timber, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes nailed-on starters ahead of the ex-Brentford man. At left-back, despite Piero Hincapie’s impressive form, Arteta may feel this is a position he can rotate in. Riccardo Calafiori has been waiting patiently on the sidelines in recent weeks, and could be granted a run-out against Fabian Hurzeler’s outfit.
In midfield, Martin Zubimendi ought to be rested, given how much he’s played recently, although Arteta will likely stick with the Spaniard and Rice in the middle of the park. Odegaard and Havertz’s respective injury issues mean Eberechi Eze will retain his place in front of them, while Bukayo Saka is a shoo-in on the right wing.
Viktor Gyokeres will likely start down the middle once again, with Gabriel Jesus seemingly now on the periphery of the squad. On the left, Arteta may be tempted to start Gabriel Martinelli in place of Leandro Trossard, who has certainly flattered to deceive in recent matches.
Predicted Arsenal XI vs Brighton: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Eze, Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli.
Brighton vs Arsenal Prediction
After a run of poor form, Brighton have bounced back in their last two fixtures, claiming an impressive away win at Brentford and then a comfortable home victory over Nottingham Forest. Hurzeler likes to play an aggressive pressing system which relies on high turnovers to create chances in broken play, and thus, Arsenal will have to ensure that they are secure in possession in deep areas.
The Gunners were outstanding in the first half against the Seagulls in the reverse fixture, preventing Hurzeler’s team from having a shot while Arteta’s men amassed 15 efforts on goal, and over two expected goals. If Arsenal can replicate this dominant outing on the south coast, then they should stroll to victory.
That said, Brighton will certainly put up more of a fight on home soil.
Prediction: Brighton 0-2 Arsenal
