Arsenal vs Brighton preview: How to watch, predicted lineups, score prediction & injury updates

The final round of Premier League fixtures takes place on Sunday with Arsenal hosting Brighton at the Emirates Stadium with one, possibly two, aims in sight. Here is the match preview.

And breathe. After 37 grueling fixtures filled with dejection and derailment, Arsenal will conclude the toughest season most supporters will ever have endured this weekend. It will be nice to see the back of it.

If only the season started on Boxing Day, eh? A baffling second half to the campaign sees the Gunners comfortably in the top four with 13 wins, five draws and five losses coming during that period, results that came too late to reignite a failing year.

What’s left to play for are two things: St. Totteringham’s Day and a potential UEFA Europa Conference League. One of these Arsenal want, while the other is largely deemed an ill-advised distraction.

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Arsenal vs Brighton Premier League match preview for final round of 2020/21 fixtures at Emirates Stadium on Sunday

Looking back on the campaign, home form has been one of the most detrimental aspects. 25 points have been accrued at home with seven defeats and ten games without scoring, whereas ten wins on the road and just six defeats have warranted 33 points – and in none of the previous five campaigns have Arsenal achieved a higher away tally.

Drawing the curtain on 2020/21 is the visit of Brighton, the xG nightmare. 16th in the Premier League, the Seagulls xPTS tally sees them sit in fifth, while their xG total is nearly 14 goals fewer than they have actually converted. It’s plain to see where their issues lie.

Another neat side narrative for this clash is one of the visiting players, Yves Bissouma. Mikel Arteta is a huge admirer of the Malian midfielder, and rumours have been swirling around for months that his last game for Brighton may also be on the ground where his next match may come.

Importantly, this meeting will see the return of home supporters. Months of television viewing (perhaps to some benefit) will be over for 10,000 fans, who will protest pre-game and likely carry that through into the stadium.

Arteta will be desperate for a positive result to temper the undoubted ill-feelings among the fans, not just that towards the owners, but also at a torrid season of football.

How to Watch on TV

When Is Kick Off? Sunday 23 May
What Time Is Kick Off? 16:00 (GMT)
Where Is it Played? Emirates Stadium
TV Channel/Live Stream? Sky Sports (UK) fuboTV (USA)
Referee? Jonathan Moss

Arsenal Team News vs Brighton

There will likely be no ideal send-off for two Arsenal players.

For David Luiz the jury is split on his two years in north London, with his presence behind the scenes, his hugely likable character and the vital role he played in helping win last season’s FA Cup among the endearing aspects.

He is injured and only in with a minor chance of playing on Sunday, which will be his final venture into the Emirates Stadium as an employee of Arsenal. It looks certain to be the same for Hector Bellerin, who won’t be fit to play, as he nears a summer exit. Arteta did his best to temper that, but it’s fairly conclusive.

"“Hector is not fit [for Sunday] so he will not be playing the last time. Like everybody that has a contract, he remains here,” he said."

Granit Xhaka made his return from a groin problem as a substitute in the 3-1 win over Crystal Palace and is in line to start, while there will be no room for Mat Ryan in the squad. The Australian is on loan from Sunday’s opposition and can play no part, with it interesting to see whether he will be back in north London next season.

That means a role on the bench is likely for Arthur Okonkwo, which will be a memorable day for the youngster.

As for the visitors, there will be no Neal Maupay. It’s a bit of a shame, even if he loves playing Arsenal, as the fans would have loved someone to boo vociferously throughout. He’s not alone, as Solly March, Tariq Lamptey, former Gunner Danny Welbeck, Joel Veltman and Davy Propper are all unlikely to make the game.

Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs Brighton

Arsenal: Leno; Chambers, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Xhaka, Saka, Odegaard, Pepe; Lacazette

Brighton: Sanchez; White, Webster, Burn; Jahanbakhsh, Gross, Bissouma, Alzate, Moder; Mac Allister, Trossard

Arsenal vs Brighton Score Prediction

Arsenal need to go out with a win. Those guys up the road were a perfect example of what they shouldn’t do: Tottenham charged their fans £60 for Harry Kane’s testimonial to end in a limp 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa. That can’t happen in the red half of north London.

While it would be joyous to see some youth injected in for their first outings, the small matter of finishing above Sp*rs in the table has to remain a vital aim. In the build-up, Arteta made it clear that Arsenal need to be in Europe although just how much he wants the Conference League is anyone’s guess. You’d bank on him not wanting it, the financial reward is not worth it.

Still, winning is what must be strived for and what comes after will be worked around. In a wretched season that is thankfully coming to an end, finishing above them will be the modicum of happiness that can be extracted to finish on a high. It means a lot and it hasn’t happened for four seasons.

A strong team will be put out and it may not differ to greatly from what secured a late win over Crystal Palace. With a number of players set for their Arsenal swansongs, Arteta will put sentiment to one side in favour of putting on a show for the fans.

As he should.

Brighton are just off the back of a morale-boosting comeback victory over ten-man Manchester City and will be in buoyant mood, although no Maupay or Welbeck up front will stunt any limp firepower they already possess.

Graham Potter will want his side to play on Sunday. They won’t sit back and soak up, which will play into Arsenal’s hands. They should see this one through.

Score Prediction: Arsenal 3-1 Brighton