Arsenal, Brighton lock horns in festive run.
Arsenal vs. Brighton kicks off at 15:00 [GMT] on Saturday, December 27, at the Emirates.
Table topping Arsenal return to the Emirates Stadium aiming to maintain their strong home momentum as they host Brighton in a Premier League fixture that carries both historical quirks and seasonal significance. Despite Arsenal’s stature, Brighton have proven to be awkward visitors in north London. The Gunners have won just three of their eight Premier League home matches against the Seagulls, a win rate of 38% that ranks among their lowest against any side they’ve faced regularly in the competition. Notably, all three of those victories came by an identical 2-0 scoreline, and Arsenal has never beaten Brighton at home in the league when conceding a goal, drawing twice and losing three of those encounters. Mikel Arteta’s team has won each of their last five Premier League games at the Emirates, continuing a run that has turned their home ground into one of the division’s most reliable sources of points. Only once during Arteta’s tenure have Arsenal enjoyed a longer winning streak at home, when they won 10 consecutive league games between April and December 2022. While keeping a two-point lead over their closest rivals, City remains one of the objectives; extending their current winning home streak also ranks high on the list. Meanwhile, on a personal note, the next appearance for Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya will be the 150th in the Premier League. Since his debut in August 2021, he has kept more clean sheets than any other goalkeeper in the competition (58), something he will be looking to do again on Saturday. A 4—2—3—1 formation with Viktor Gyökeres in attack is expected against the visitors.
Recent meetings, however, suggest the balance may be shifting. Brighton are winless in their last four Premier League games against Arsenal, though resilience has been evident, with the Seagulls coming from behind to draw 1-1 in both fixtures last season. That stubbornness will be tested again against an Arsenal side in formidable home form. However, Brighton will arrive with concerns of their own, particularly in attack. They have failed to score in their last two league matches, one of only two teams to do so on consecutive matchdays, and they have not gone three Premier League games without a goal since January 2024. Meanwhile, Hürzeler himself is also making history, albeit reluctantly: Brighton have never won a Premier League match in December under his management, drawing six and losing four, the longest such run for any manager without a December victory. A 4—2—3—1 formation with Danny Welbeck in attack is expected against the Gunners.