Brighton vs Arsenal on Saturday offers the Premier League champions the chance to move three points clear at the top of the table, while renewing attention on the touchline meeting between Mikel Arteta and Fabian Hurzeler.
Arsenal have won their opening four league matches and will visit the Amex Stadium with Manchester City, also unbeaten after four victories, due to host Sunderland on Sunday. The match kicks off at 3pm.
Arteta and Hurzeler put last season’s dispute behind them
The managers’ previous meeting at Brighton ended with a row after Hurzeler criticised Arsenal’s approach during the Gunners’ 1-0 victory in March.
The Brighton manager said at the time that “only one team tried to play football” and accused Arsenal of “making their own rules”. He stood by his right to express that view when asked about the comments this week.
“I think it’s very important that in football there are opinions,” Hurzeler said. “I will definitely always share my opinion if I am asked. But, in the end, I congratulate Arsenal for being deserved champions. They deserved it.”
Arteta said there was no lingering animosity between the pair.
“That’s all done. That’s all in the past,” the Arsenal manager said. “I have huge respect for Fabian, and what he’s done and what Brighton has done as a club.”
He added: “It’s just remarkable, and tomorrow is going to be a beautiful game to watch, I’m sure.”
Arsenal arrive in strong form
Arsenal have also opened their Champions League campaign with a victory over Napoli and reached the fourth round of the League Cup after beating Ipswich on Tuesday.
Sixteen-year-old Max Dowman scored twice against Ipswich in his first appearance of the season, strengthening his case for a greater role after beginning the campaign as an unused substitute.
Arteta said the best way for a player to earn selection was through performances rather than conversations away from the pitch.
“When a player delivers constantly on the pitch, every single day in training, that’s the best way, that’s the best signal for the manager,” he said.
Including their Community Shield victory over Manchester City, Arsenal have won seven consecutive matches. A further success on the south coast would match the club’s 123-year record for the best start to a campaign.
Arteta is also yet to sign a contract extension, although talks have been continuing for several months. He said there was no reason for concern, adding: “I think we are all very much aligned; whenever the time is right, we’ll get that done.”
Brighton and Arsenal team news
Brighton are expected to return to the side that defeated Coventry in their last Premier League match. Jaouen Hadjam suffered a knock in Wednesday’s 3-2 League Cup win against Manchester United.
Femi Azeez, Evan Ferguson, Zadok Yohanna, Mats Wieffer, Jack Hinshelwood, Kaoru Mitoma, Yankuba Minteh and Stefanos Tzimas remain on the injury list.
Brighton’s predicted line-up is Verbruggen; Kadioglu, Dunk, Vuskovic, Boscagli; Gross, Ayari; Gomez, Yalcouye, De Cuyper; Kostoulas.
Jurrien Timber missed Arsenal’s midweek win at Ipswich as a precaution but is expected to be available. Piero Hincapie, Ben White and Cristhian Mosquera are doubts, while William Saliba remains sidelined with a back injury.
Arsenal’s predicted line-up is Raya; Timber, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori; Guimaraes, Rice; Saka, Odegaard, Tzolis; Havertz.
Brighton vs Arsenal record and prediction
Brighton last defeated Arsenal on May 14, 2023, winning 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium through second-half goals from Julio Enciso, Deniz Undav and Pervis Estupinan.
Saturday’s fixture will be the 36th meeting between the clubs. Arsenal have won 20 of the previous encounters, compared with eight victories for Brighton.
Arsenal have been given a 57 per cent chance of winning by Opta’s supercomputer, with Brighton rated at 29 per cent.
