Arsenal vs Brighton live commentary: Hurzeler looks to give the Gunners title hopes some lift as two unbeaten sides take on each other – kick-off time, team news and how to follow

Arsenal will be hoping to take top spot when they start the Premier League this weekend but will face a Brighton side flying under new manager Fabian Hurzeler.

It's another tough fixture on the agenda for Mikel Arteta, but his side reaffirmed their title credentials last weekend with an emphatic 2-0 win over Aston Villa.

Decisive finishes from Leandro Trossard and Thomas Partey sent Arsenal home with an important victory, leaving them joint top with Manchester City, Liverpool and Brighton.

As for the Seagulls, there was a late carnage at the Amex last Saturday when Joao Pedro's 95th-minute goal meant Albion stole the points from Manchester United.

A thrilling display on the South Coast also saw Danny Welbeck score his trademark goal against his former employers, and Hurzeler will be looking to build on that against the Gunners.

Arsenal vs Brighton: Will Welbeck scare the old team again?

It's a new season and Welbeck is back among the goals and will hope to add to his tally on a long-awaited return to the Emirates.

Last Saturday, the 33-year-old came back to haunt his former team United, burying Kaoru Mitoma's cross right in front of their once-adoring fanbase.

Add to that a goal on the opening day at Goodison Park, along with a couple of pre-season strikes, and Welbeck is currently one of England's most lethal finishers.

Standing in their way this weekend will be Arsenal's formidable defensive unit, which has become a staple of Arteta's title-challenging side for the past three years.

A four-man defence is the foundation by which Arsenal have won each of their last eight league games, conceding just three in the process, a feat last achieved in the unforgettable invincible campaign.

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• Arsenal have won three of their last four Premier League games against Brighton (L1), as many as they had in their previous first 10 against them (D3 L4).
• Brighton have won three of their seven Premier League away games against Arsenal (D1 L3). They are one of three teams to have won more or as many away games at the Emirates as they have lost in the competition, alongside Manchester City (W7 L6) and Swansea City (W3 D3).
• Brighton failed to win any of their seven Premier League away games against London sides last season, drawing three and losing four. Their last win in the capital was a 3-0 win at Arsenal in May 2023.

Arsenal vs Brighton: Date and how to follow

This Premier League match will take place on Saturday, August 31.

Kick-off at the Emirates is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.

talkSPORT will have live coverage from North London, with Faye Carruthers as presenter.

This will be followed by commentary from Sam Matterface and former England captain Stuart Pearce.

To tune in to talkSPORT via the website, Click HERE for the live stream.

Listen through the talkSPORT app hereor on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

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• An Arsenal win in this game would see them win their first three Premier League games in a season for just the second time under Mikel Arteta (also 2022-23), which would be as many times as they did before his arrival as manager (in 2003-04 and 2004-05 under Arsene Wenger).
• For the third time in the last four seasons, Brighton have won their opening two Premier League games. The Seagulls have not won their opening three league games in a season since 2011-12 in the Championship.
• Arsenal have won each of their last eight Premier League games, dating back to a 2-0 home defeat to Aston Villa in April. They last won nine games in a row between January and March 2004.
• Fabian Hürzeler is only the fourth Brighton manager to win his first two league games in charge, after Alan Mullery (August 1976), Jeff Wood (January 1999) and Micky Adams (April 1999), none of whom won their third game.

Arsenal vs Brighton: team news

Arteta is expected to be without Brazilian international Gabriel Jesus against Brighton due to a groin problem.

Versatile full-back Takehiro Tomiyasu remains sidelined with a knee injury but could return to training next month.

New signing Mikel Merino will miss his debut for the Gunners after suffering a shoulder fracture in training.

A tough test for Hurzeler has just become even tougher as Bart Verbruggen, Mats Wieffer, Pervis Estupinan and Evan Ferguson race against the clock to get there in time for Saturday.

And in another blow for Albion, new signing Matt O'Riley will require ankle surgery after taking a heavy tackle in Tuesday's Carabao Cup win over Crawley.

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• Arsenal's Kai Havertz has been directly involved in nine goals in his last eight Premier League appearances at the Emirates Stadium (6 goals, 3 assists), while his first home league goal for the Gunners came against Brighton in December last year.
• Bukayo Saka has been directly involved in 17 goals in his last 19 Premier League games for Arsenal (12 goals, 5 assists), assisting in each of his first two games of the 2024–25 season. The only Arsenal player to assist a goal in the first three games of a Premier League season was Thierry Henry in 2004–05.
• Danny Welbeck will be looking to score in three consecutive Premier League appearances for the first time since January 2014, while the last player to score in each of Brighton's first three league games in a single campaign was Nicky Forster in 2008-09.

Arsenal vs Brighton: What has been said?

Arsenal super-sub Trossard has praised the competition in his squad and believes it will take them to the “next level”.

He said: “Coming away with three points and another clean sheet is a perfect win for us.

“I know the competition there is in the team and that pushes everyone to get to the next level.

“I'm very happy to have made an impact and helped the team and it's a great victory for us.

“I think I've shown that in recent months and that also helps the team and motivates all the players. There is competition in all positions, which is what the club needs.”