Arsenal have a second complicated trip in the space of a few days. With Liverpool only playing on Sunday, the Gunners have the opportunity to put pressure on them and temporarily get back to three points.
The first leg was cruel for Arsenal. After Kai Havertz’s superb opening goal, well served by Saka, Brighton benefited from the exclusion of Declan Rice at the start of the second half, and managed to come back to the score with João Pedro. This red card was unfortunately a premonition of the disciplinary problems that the Londoners would encounter in the following weeks.
Brighton is not in the form of its life, the club is 10th in the Premier League and has not been able to win since November 23 (5 draws and two defeats). Hürzeler alternates 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 depending on the opponent and relies on João Pedro (4 goals and 5 assists), Simon Adingra and Carlos Belaba to pull the club up. Our hinge will have to be particularly wary of the Brazilian who has an easy time attracting defenders towards him, freeing up numerous spaces for his teammates.
The club has just recorded the arrival of midfielder Diego Gomez from Inter Miami (for €13 million), but the Paraguayan should not be present on the field or on the bench on Saturday. Danny Welbeck, injured some time ago in the ankle, is still doubtful, James Milner and Evan Ferguson are out.
On the Gunners side we expect to see Thomas Partey starting on the right side in the absence of Jurrien Timber (suspended after his yellow card received against Brenford), Lewis-Skelly and Calafiori competing for the starting place on the opposite side. Kai Havertz, absent during the last match, should return to the group, surely in support of Jesus who has had a string of good performances.
In a press conference Arteta was asked about the injured players. Raheem Sterling is eagerly awaited and could be available next week. Tomiyasu is slowly returning to the field in training but being injured for a long time, his acclimatization will be slower.
For Ben White we hope to return to the group before the end of the month: “It’s a possibility. His knee has recovered well, now he needs to start using it more and putting weight on it”. The coach also returned to the situation of Declan Rice which is being closely monitored: “He plays so much!” We have nine games this month and he has had some problems in the last few games. He had to come out and we have to manage every player, there are no exceptions”.
Brighton are one of those clubs that we distrust like the plague, however our last visits to the Amex ended in comfortable victories (0-3 and 2-4). The players will be keen to take revenge on themselves by leaving with the three points. Behind us, Nottingham Forest are hanging on and Chelsea are starting to let go. The Reds host Manchester United and should easily do the job.
It’s a long January for the Gunners. After this meeting they will concentrate on the national cups before returning to Spurs at home on January 15. The schedule is busy, it’s true, but it’s also the price to pay for a club of this caliber still present in all competitions. COYG!
