Arsenal vs Brighton preview: Prediction, team news & lineups

After securing a huge win at Newcastle last weekend, Arsenal are looking to preserve their title dream on Sunday as they host Brighton at the Emirates Stadium.

Supporters weren’t exactly optimistic heading into the crunch duel at St. James’ Park, but Mikel Arteta’s Gunners produced one of their most impressive showings of the season in a crucial 2-0 win which maintained the pressure on Man City at the top of the Premier League table.

City visit Everton on Sunday afternoon in between their two-legged Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid. Arsenal desperately need the Toffees to do them a favour this weekend.

Nevertheless, the Gunners must get the job done themselves no matter the result at Goodison Park. Brighton are going in search of their first-ever European berth, but their form has stuttered somewhat as of late and they head into this one off the back of a stunning 5-1 defeat at the hands of Everton.

Arsenal vs Brighton preview: Prediction, team news & lineups

Here’s our preview of Arsenal’s clash with Brighton on Sunday afternoon.

How to watch Arsenal vs Brighton on TV

When is kick-off? Sunday 14 March

What time is kick-off? 16:30 (BST)

Where is it played? Emirates Stadium

TV channel/live stream? Sky Ultra HD, Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League (UK) / SiriusXM FC, USA Network, Telemundo (US) / fuboTV (Canada)

Referee? Andy Madley

Arsenal team news

Arteta has no fresh injury concerns heading into Sunday’s game, but he does have a couple of big selection calls.

Leandro Trossard will want to start against his former club and he could come into the frontline, while Jorginho is expected to retain his place at the base of midfield after starring at St. James’ Park.

Jakub Kiwior should continue alongside Gabriel at centre-back, and Kieran Tierney could make a rare Premier League start amid Oleksandr Zinchenki’s recent defensive struggles.

Brighton team news

Roberto De Zerbi will almost certainly make a few changes to the side that was thumped by Everton on Monday. Solly March and Julio Enciso are two contenders to return to the fold, and they could replace Facundo Buonanotte and Deniz Undav respectively.

Injuries have forced the Brighton manager to improvise with his right-back selection as of late, but a potential solution could be re-introducing Levi Colwill to the starting XI and deploying Adam Webster on the right.

Adam Lallana, Tariq Lamptey and Jeremy Sarmiento are all sidelined for the visitors, while Joel Veltman is a major doubt. Evan Ferguson is back in contention, however.

Arsenal vs Brighton predicted lineups

Arsenal: Ramsdale; White, Kiwior, Gabriel, Tierney; Jorginho, Xhaka, Odegaard; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.

Brighton: Steele; Webster, Dunk, Colwill, Estupinan; Caicedo, Mac Allister; March, Enciso, Mitoma; Welbeck.

Arsenal’s recent form

Newcastle 0-2 Arsenal (07/05) – Premier League

Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea (02/05) – Premier League

Man City 4-1 Arsenal (26/04) – Premier League

Arsenal 3-3 Southampton (21/04) – Premier League

West Ham 2-2 Arsenal (16/04) – Premier League

Brighton’s recent form

Brighton 1-5 Everton (08/05) – Premier League

Brighton 1-0 Man Utd (04/05) – Premier League

Brighton 6-0 Wolves (29/04) – Premier League

Nottingham Forest 3-1 Brighton (26/04) – Premier League

Brighton 0-0 (6-7p) Man Utd – FA Cup

Prediction

Brighton must respond after Monday’s remarkable result, and they’ll undoubtedly give Arsenal a run for their money on Sunday. The Seagulls will seek to dominate this contest with the ball, but they’ve rarely faced up against a press as proficient as the Gunners’.

Thus, the hosts’ press versus Brighton’s build-up is a key sub-plot in this one and will go a long way to determining who asserts control at the Emirates. Overall, it’s likely that both sides will enjoy spells of sustained pressure, with the contest boiling down to who’s more efficient at transitions.

The visitors will carry no fear into Sunday’s duel, and supporters may be taken aback by their impressive possession play at the Emirates. They’ll certainly create chances, but I fancy the Gunners to edge an entertaining contest given that they’ve rediscovered their optimal swagger.

Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Brighton