Premier League: Gunners Need to Keep Going Against Spirited Seagulls

Arsenal vs Brighton & Hove Albion

Arsenal have made huge strides over the last 12 months and, certainly based on their showing at Newcastle last Sunday, are not about to surrender their Premier League title pursuit.

When questions were being asked about their challenge, a 2-0 win on Tyneside meant they came through a significant test of character and courage with flying colours.

It was a victory which has brought renewed confidence.

Yet, that will count for little if they cannot see off Brighton at the Emirates this weekend.

Despite an unexpected home hammering by Everton on Bank Holiday Monday, the Seagulls remain seventh in the table, seven points behind fifth-placed Liverpool with two games in hand.

All in all then, this is far from a home banker and has the potential to be the game of the weekend.

Talking Points

That is because Brighton are one of the teams of the season.

They have successfully transitioned from the Graham Potter era to Roberto De Zerbi, who has developed them into a side challenging for a place in Europe.

They also came within a whisker of reaching their first FA Cup Final in 40 years.

Of course, they could not have done so without the massive contributions of Kaori Mitoma and Solly March.

Mitoma, who was out on loan last year, has been a revelation in his first season. The Japanese international has scored seven goals with five assists in 28 appearances, while providing several other Premier League 2023 highlights.

As good as Mitoma has been, perhaps Solly March has been the bigger surprise.

After recording 14 goals and 15 assists in his first 10 seasons on the south coast, March has seven goals and seven assists this season alone, which are impressive numbers.

His magical season is emblematic of just how much Brighton have defied the Premier League 2023 odds.

The work carried out by De Zerbi has been mightily impressive and, if the likes of the sides managed by him, Thomas Frank and Unai Emery continue improving at their current rate while playing their varied and energetic styles, the quality, and intrigue of matches next season promises to be stratospheric.

Monday’s surprise reverse at home to Everton left the Italian coach cutting a frustrated figure as his normally fluent side simply imploded.

Such a chastening defeat came out of nowhere for Brighton, who simply did not turn up before the interval and De Zerbi showed exactly what he thought of that with four half-time changes.

He will demand a reaction in North London. That will only add further to the intrigue.

History

Arsenal have defeated Brighton 15 times in history – twice as many as the other way round (seven) – but you might expect that figure to be higher given the differing resources between the club from the capital and the club from the south coast.

A further five meetings have ended all square.

The Seagulls have shocked the Gunners not once but twice on home turf in little over a year and are now seeking a second win over them this term.

They famously won at the Emirates Stadium in April last season – a 2-1 victory, sealed by goals from Leandro Trossard (now of Arsenal) and Enock Mwepu (Martin Odegaard replied for the home side) which proved costly in the Gunners’ chase for a top four finish.

Then in November, the third round of the League Cup saw Nketiah put Arsenal in front before Danny Welbeck levelled from the penalty spot against his former club, and Kaoru Mitoma and Tariq Lamptey took control in the second half to seal an impressive 3-1 success.

Believe it or not, Arsenal have only won three of their last 11 meetings against the Seagulls in all competitions.

One of those was on New Year’s Eve when Bukayo Saka, Odegaard, Nketiah, and Gabriel Martinelli scored the goals in a 4-2 win. The Seagulls replied through Mitoma and exciting teenager Ewan Ferguson.

Their very first meeting was in the FA Cup in 1935 when goals from the legendary Ted Drake and Joe Hulme sealed a 2-0 victory for Arsenal.

Betting Tip

Arsenal’s title bid is over should they fail to win this one, and the SBOTOP odds do not expect that with the Gunners on offer 1X2 @ 1.88 and Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 2.12.

Brighton are attractively priced, mind you. They are available to tip 1X2 @ 3.65 and Asian Handicap +0.50 @ 2.02.

The goal options intrigue me, particularly the likes of Total Goal 0-1 @ 4.60, 2-3 @ 2.01, and 4-6 @ 2.70.

Another 2-1 Brighton victory at the Emirates will pay out @ 12.50 with Correct Score. I do think Arsenal will edge this, perhaps because they need victory that bit more.

 

●●●

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS

Stay updated with everything sports and betting.

Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.