Brighton vs Arsenal preview: How to watch on TV, live stream, team news & prediction

Arsenal round off 2022 with a trip down to the South Coast as they take on Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton at the Amex on New Year’s Eve.

The Gunners proved on Boxing Day that they won’t be going anywhere anytime soon as they came from behind to beat West Ham 3-1.

It was a special festive night at the Emirates as Arsene Wenger returned to the club for the first time since his 2018 departure. The hosts’ second-half performance would’ve filled the Frenchman with pride.

Arsenal’s triumph saw them extend their lead over Manchester City to eight points, but the Cityzens reduced that deficit to five on Wednesday night as they beat Leeds United 3-1 at Elland Road. Pep Guardiola’s side were in tip-top form and their performance would suggest that the Gunners can ill-afford to drop points in the coming weeks if they’re to retain their lead at the top.

However, a tricky contest awaits Mikel Arteta’s men this weekend as they travel to Brighton. The Seagulls were also triumphant on Boxing Day and they’ve proved under both Graham Potter and De Zerbi that they’re more than capable of going toe-to-toe with the Premier League’s best.

Brighton vs Arsenal preview: How to watch on TV, live stream, team news & prediction

Here’s our preview of Arsenal’s trip to Brighton on New Year’s Eve.

How to watch Brighton vs Arsenal on TV

When is kick-off? Saturday 31 December

What time is kick-off? 17:30 (BST)

Where is it played? Amex Stadium

TV channel/live stream? Sky Sports (UK), Peacock (US), fuboTV (Canada)

Referee? Anthony Taylor

Brighton Team News

The Seagulls will be without star midfielder Moises Caicedo on New Year’s Eve after he picked up his fifth yellow card of the season on Boxing Day. The Colombian international will serve a one-game suspension as a result.

Billy Gilmour should replace Caicedo in De Zerbi’s XI.

World Cup hero Alexis Mac Allister will not return to action until the new year, but De Zerbi could welcome Adam Webster back to the fold after the defender recovered from injury. Danny Welbeck is also back in contention.

Arsenal Team News

Oleksandr Zinchenko should start at the Amex after he earned minutes off the bench on Boxing Day. The Ukrainian is likely to replace Kieran Tierney in the starting XI.

There are no fresh injury concerns for Arteta, but the Spaniard will still be without Emile Smith Rowe on Saturday. Takehiro Tomiyasu is also a doubt.

Eddie Nketiah will continue to lead the line with Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka occupying the flanks.

Brighton vs Arsenal Predicted Lineups

Brighton: Sanchez; Veltman, Dunk, Colwill, Estupinan; Gilmour, Gross; March, Lallana, Mitoma; Trossard.

Arsenal: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli.

Brighton’s Recent Form

Southampton 1-3 Brighton (26/12) – Premier League

Charlton 0-0 (4-3p) Brighton (21/12) – Carabao Cup

Aston Villa 2-2 Brighton (08/12) – Friendly

Brighton 1-2 Aston Villa (13/11) – Premier League

Arsenal 1-3 Brighton (09/11) – Carabao Cup

Arsenal’s Recent Form

Arsenal 3-1 West Ham (26/12) – Premier League

Arsenal 0-2 Juventus (17/12) – Friendly

Arsenal 2-1 AC Milan (13/12) – Dubai Super Cup

Arsenal 3-0 Lyon (08/12) – Dubai Super Cup

Wolves 0-2 Arsenal (12/11) – Premier League

Prediction

It’ll be an intriguing fight for control at the Amex on Saturday with De Zerbi’s intricate build-up poised to test an impressive Arsenal press.

Brighton are playing with a swagger and they’ll head into this contest buoyed by their Carabao Cup victory at the Emirates in November. However, the absences of Caicedo and Mac Allister could hit the hosts hard and Arsenal’s midfield could have its way with their counterparts on the South Coast.

The Gunners didn’t miss a beat on Boxing Day despite Gabriel Jesus’ absence and their midfield superiority should carry them over the line on New Year’s Eve.

Prediction: Brighton 1-2 Arsenal