Premier League: Brighton & Hove Albion vs Arsenal - Preview, Prediction, and Team News

The Gunners won 3-1 against West Ham United on Boxing Day, while the Seagulls beat Southampton by the same scoreline on the south coast.

For ex-Southampton player Adam Lallana, the short trip to the south coast to his former home was worth it, as he held back from celebrating when he scored the opening goal at St. Mary's - possibly out of pity for Gavin Bazunu.

Lallana's header was parried away by Bazunu before Romain Perraud hit his net before the break, and Solly March scored a late consolation goal for the Saints with a superb shot into the top corner.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Final game of 2022 👊 <a href="https://t.co/HcCShKTSDu">pic.twitter.com/HcCShKTSDu</a></p>&mdash; Arsenal (@Arsenal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1608931057616752645?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

EFL Roberto De Zerbi had warned Brighton's last opponents of the "rampaging" Seagulls XI after their League One cup exit to Charlton Athletic. Still, a return to their old Premier League forms this weekend keeps the hosts in the race for Europe in seventh place in the table.

Depending on how Liverpool fares against Leicester City on Friday, Brighton could finish in the top six in 2023 after a memorable calendar year under Graham Potter and De Zerbi, who has already lost two of his four Premier League home games with the Seagulls.

Nevertheless, Brighton's defence at the Amex Stadium is excellent - they conceded just six goals in home Premier League games in the 2022-23 season - and the Seagulls have earned a reputation as Arsenal's fearsome opponents in recent years.

Arsenal number 14 Eddie Nketiah, under pressure to take Gabriel Jesus' place, insisted he did not want to be seen as a replacement for his stricken teammate after sensationally turning things around for the Gunners in the London derby against West Ham.

The Premier League leaders had their work cut out in the second 45 minutes after Said Benrahma had put the Hammers ahead with a penalty. Still, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Nketiah's superb turning shot ensured the Gunners picked up where they left off.

The win over the Capitals allowed Arsenal to temporarily move seven points clear of Newcastle United at the top of the table. Manchester City's success against Leeds United has now reduced the gap to five points, but Mikel Arteta's side is guaranteed to celebrate New Year's Eve at the top of the table.

The naysayers will point out that Arsenal still have two games against Man City. Still, every other team that has reached 40 points after the first 15 Premier League games of the season has clinched the title, and the World Cup break has not interrupted the league leader's momentum.

Arsenal travel to the Amex Stadium with a record of 13 points from their last 15 away games and have conceded just one goal in that time. However, Brighton defeated a weakened Gunners side 3-1 in the EFL Cup just last month and have suffered just one defeat to the capital club in front of Amex fans in the Premier League.

Team news

While De Zerbi was relatively pleased with his side's performance against Southampton, the Brighton boss was annoyed with the yellow card for Moises Caicedo, who is now suspended for this game after five cautions this season.

Argentina World Cup hero Alexis Mac Allister is expected back in the new year. De Zerbi has also left Adam Webster and former Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck out of the game. Jakub Moder, meanwhile, is out for the long term.

Billy Gilmour is expected to make his first Premier League appearance in place of the suspended Caicedo. At the same time, Jeremy Sarmiento impressed against the Gunners in the EFL Cup and will be eager for another chance to shine against the north Londoners.

At Arsenal, Gabriel Jesus (knee) and Reiss Nelson (thigh) remain on sick leave, and there is no timetable yet for their return. Still, there could be a long-awaited comeback for Emile Smith Rowe after his groyne operation in September.

Injury-plagued Takehiro Tomiyasu will also struggle to recover from his recent hamstring strain. However, there could be a change in the full-back position, as Oleksandr Zinchenko is fit again and could challenge Kieran Tierney for the left-back spot.

Martin Odegaard was a man of the match against West Ham and is now looking to score two or more goals in an away Premier League game for the third time this season. In doing so, he joins an exclusive group of players such as Ian Wright, Dennis Bergkamp, Emmanuel Adebayor, Robin van Persie and Alexis Sanchez, who have already done so for Arsenal.

Prediction

Brighton 1-2 Arsenal

1. Brighton lost their games after the World Cup break and were eliminated from the Carabao Cup, but the Seagulls won against Southampton on Boxing Day.

2. Arsenal returned to domestic duties with a 3-1 win over West Ham at Emirates Stadium. The Gunners don't have a good record against Brighton, so this is a real test for the league leader.

3. However, the absence of Moises Caicedo will impact the home side, which could prove crucial if Arsenal are to finish the year with another three points.