Arsenal is set to face Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium on Saturday, January 4, 2025, with kick-off scheduled for 5:30 PM GMT.
Injury Updates:
Mikel Arteta on whether Havertz will be available to face Brighton: “Yes, I think so. The ones with the illness, I think they’re going to be okay. Hopefully they will train today & if everybody is fine, they should be available.”
Mikel Arteta on Sterling: “He’s starting to do some stuff on the pitch, so that’s great news. We want him available as quick as possible. Let’s see how he progresses next week & then see if we can get him available for the following week.”
Mikel Arteta: “Ben [White] is still a few weeks away. It might be a possibility [back before the end of January], but he hasn’t done anything with the team. The knee looks good, he’s reacted really well & in the first few weeks everything is going smoothly.”
“Now we need to start the load & that means he needs to get through many more things that, up to now, he hasn’t been able to do, but hopefully it’s good.”
“His work ethic is unbelievable & naturally, he’s a really gifted player so I am very positive that we’re going to have him quite early, but I don’t know when.”
Mikel Arteta on Tomiyasu: “Tomi has done some stuff on the pitch, but because it’s been a long-term injury, we need to see how quickly he can progress & how he reacts.”
Arsenal:
Bukayo Saka: The 23-year-old winger underwent surgery for a hamstring injury sustained during the 5-1 victory over Crystal Palace. He is expected to be sidelined until at least March. Saka shared an update from his hospital bed, expressing his determination to return stronger.
Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu: Both defenders are recovering from injuries and are unlikely to feature in the upcoming match.
Jurrien Timber: The defender is suspended for this fixture.
Kai Havertz: The German international has recovered from illness and is available for selection. Manager Mikel Arteta confirmed his readiness for the Brighton clash.
Brighton
Pervis Estupinan and Adam Webster: Both players are expected to return to the squad, bolstering Brighton’s defensive options.
James Milner, Jack Hinshelwood, and Ferdi Kadioglu: These players are likely to miss the match due to injuries.
Danny Welbeck: The former Arsenal forward is set to miss the game against his former club.
Predicted Line-ups:
•Arsenal (4-3-3):
•Goalkeeper: David Raya
•Defenders: Thomas Partey (right-back), William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Oleksandr Zinchenko
•Midfielders: Declan Rice, Martin Ødegaard, Merino
•Forwards: Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard
•Brighton (4-2-3-1):
•Goalkeeper: Jason Steele
•Defenders: Joel Veltman, Lewis Dunk, Jan Paul van Hecke, Tariq Lamptey
•Midfielders: Mahmoud Dahoud, Billy Gilmour; Simon Adingra, Joao Pedro, Kaoru Mitoma
•Forward: Evan Ferguson
Match Preview:
Arsenal enters this fixture aiming to close the six-point gap to Premier League leaders Liverpool. The Gunners have been in impressive form, remaining undefeated in their last 12 matches. However, the absence of key players like Bukayo Saka and defensive concerns due to injuries and suspensions may pose challenges.
Brighton, currently sitting mid-table, has struggled recently, failing to secure a win in their last seven matches. The return of players like Pervis Estupinan and Adam Webster could provide a much-needed boost to their defense. Manager Fabian Hurzeler will be keen to capitalize on Arsenal’s injury woes to turn their fortunes around.
Key Players to Watch:
•Arsenal:
•Gabriel Jesus: The Brazilian forward has regained his scoring form, netting crucial goals in recent matches. With Saka sidelined, Jesus’s role in leading the attack becomes even more pivotal.
•Martin Ødegaard: The Norwegian playmaker’s creativity and vision will be essential in breaking down Brighton’s defense.
•Brighton:
•Evan Ferguson: Despite a modest goal tally this season, the young striker has attracted interest from top clubs, including Arsenal. His performance against potential suitors will be under scrutiny.
•Kaoru Mitoma: The Japanese winger’s pace and dribbling ability can pose significant threats to Arsenal’s makeshift defense.
Prediction:
Considering Arsenal’s current form and Brighton’s struggles, the Gunners are favored to secure a victory. However, the defensive absences and Brighton’s potential resurgence make it a challenging encounter.
Predicted Score: Brighton 1-2 Arsenal
Line-ups and predictions are subject to change based on team announcements and player fitness closer to match time.
