Arsenal without key defender against Brighton as Gunners look to close gap on Liverpool: kick-off time, expected line-ups and how to follow

Arsenal will look to close the gap on Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table when they take on Brighton this Saturday night.

The gunners have not lost in 12 games in all competitions, but are still six points behind league leaders in the middle of the season.

means Mikel ArtetaThe team depends on some mistakes from the Reds while maintaining their winning form every week.

They will have hopes of achieving a result at the Amex to put pressure on Arne Slot's men, with Brighton struggling.

The Seagulls have drawn their last three games and are winless in seven, leaving Fabian Hurzeler with a problem that needs to be solved.

Brighton vs Arsenal: predicted lineups

Brighton moved away in Villa Aston last time, meaning some key players are expected to return to the starting lineup this weekend.

Kaoru Mitoma should return along with Georginio Rutter, with Brajan Gruda and Julio Enciso potentially out.

Joao Pedro will continue to lead the line, as Danny Welbeck and Evan Ferguson are injured, while Simon Adingra and Yankuba Minteh will compete for a place in the wing.

In midfield, Carlos Baleba has become a star and is likely to be joined by Matt O'Riley, who replaced Yasin Ayari at Villa Park.

Mats Wieffer and Adam Webster may be eligible to appear in some capacity, but James Milner and Ferdi Kadioglu will remain on the sidelines.

Lewis Dunk and Jan Paul van Hecke will be at centre-back and Pervis Estupinan could return at left-back, with Tariq Lamptey or Joel Veltman on the right.

Of course, Seagulls number 1 Bart Verbruggen will be in goal.

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• No team won more points in the Premier League in 2024 than Arsenal (85). His 26 wins were the most in a year since 2004 (also 26), his 89 goals were the most since 1963 (112) and his 18 clean sheets were the most since 1999 (19).
• Brighton and Hove Albion have drawn their last three Premier League games and are winless in seven (D5 L2). The Seagulls have not drawn four league games in a row since October 2014 in the Championship under Sami Hyypia.

As for Arsenal, they will be missing a key defender like Jurrien Timber.

Timber received his fifth yellow card of the season last time out and that means he will now serve a one-game suspension.

Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are also injured, so Thomas Partey He may have to take on an unknown role to cover the right back.

He will join a backline of four William SalibaGabriel and Riccardo Calafiori, with Jorginho taking on a deeper midfield role.

Declan Rice He has a slight knock and Arteta may not want to risk starting him.

Mikel Merino impressed against Brentford and should keep its place at the side Martin Odegaard while Ethan Nwaneri was also impressive.

However, the teenager is likely to leave the team again for Leandro Trossard, with whom he is fit. Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli keeping their places.

Kai Havertz missed the last game due to illness and may have difficulty recovering quickly while Bukayo Saka still injured.

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• Having been unbeaten in five consecutive home league games against Arsenal between 1982 and 2020 (W4 D1), Brighton have now lost three of their last four against the Gunners (D1).
• Arsenal have won three of their last five Premier League games against Brighton (D1 L1), as many as in their first 10 against the Seagulls in the competition (D3 L4).
• Brighton have not lost their first league game in any of the last eight calendar years (W3 D5), since a 1-0 home defeat to Wolves on New Year's Day 2016 in the Championship.

Brighton vs Arsenal: What has been said?

This will be the second match of nine on Arsenal's January schedule and Arteta has been talking about his team's fitness.

After this match against Brighton, the cup will face Newcastle and united man are next, while the Champions League also returns soon.

With injuries plagued players throughout the Gunners' squad, the busy fixture list could start to affect their results and potential success.

After being asked if his team is at the limit, Arteta said: “When I see the willingness of each individual to play anything and the versatility we can create within our idea, the answer is no.

“But we don't know, if something else happens, there will be more problems, although we hope not.

“Hopefully people come back, like Riccy (Calafiori), who came back and other players who are there are also in top form, we need everyone.”

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• Kai Havertz has scored in each of his last four Premier League games against Brighton, scoring in all three against the Seagulls so far for Arsenal.
• Since the start of last season, João Pedro has more Premier League goals and assists combined than any other Brighton player (13 goals, 8 assists); his 13 goals are the most, while his eight assists are only surpassed by the late Pascal Groß. (10).
• In their first 19 Premier League games under Fabian Hürzeler, Brighton have drawn nine times (W6 L4). Only three managers have drawn 10 of their first 20 Premier League games: John Lyall in 1992 (11), John Deehan in 1994 (10) and Egil Olsen in 1999 (10).

Brighton vs Arsenal: how to follow

This Premier League clash will take place on Saturday, January 4.

Kickoff at Amex Stadium is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.

Existing customers can watch TV coverage while fans can sign up to Sky Sports here or sign up for a NOW TV membership here.

talkSPORT will also keep you up to date with the latest news.

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 via the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen through the talkSPORT appon DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

talkSPORT.com will also provide you with regular updates on the action on our dedicated Premier League live blog. here.

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