Arsenal vs Brighton Predictions

• Arsenal’s last seven matches in all competitions have featured three goals or fewer.
• The Gunners’ last three home goals have been scored by the opposition.
• Brighton are winless in four outings, scoring just once across their last three fixtures.

Misfiring Gunners to edge another victory

Arsenal are the Christmas number one but they have lost some of their rhythm in recent weeks to allow Manchester City to narrow the gap at the top of the Premier League.

The lead is just two points going into this week’s fixtures and Arsenal’s lack of a cutting edge in attack is likely to be a cause for concern for Mikel Arteta.

His side remain solid at the back but the fact that Arsenal’s last three goals scored at the Emirates have been handed to them by the opposition highlights the issues plaguing the league leaders, who edged to a 1-0 win at Everton last Saturday in the Premier League.

Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix was the latest to put through his own net in Tuesday’s EFL Cup quarter-final draw with the Gunners, and that match could have taken plenty out of Arsenal legs ahead of this visit from Brighton, so a low-scoring home win is our prediction for this encounter.

None of the north Londoners’ last seven matches in all competitions have gone beyond three goals so Arsenal to win and under 3.5 goals looks a solid bet against Brighton

Seagulls likely to have their wings clipped

Brighton are winless in their last four outings, failing to score in their last two, and they may struggle to break down Arsenal at the Emirates on Saturday.

That was also the case at the end of October when the Gunners ran out 2-0 winners in their EFL Cup encounter and points to a repeat scoreline in this Premier League rematch.

The Seagulls were beaten 2-0 by Liverpool in their last league match on the road, and they followed that with a 0-0 draw at home to Sunderland last Saturday.

Brighton have failed to score in three of their last five meetings with Arsenal and it is hard to see them troubling the Gunners too much this week despite having had a week to prepare.

There may be some fatigue in the home legs but that may not manifest itself into a shock away win, and the stronger option is to expect fewer goals instead.

A 2-0 home win looks the best option for correct-score punters.

Italian just the job for Arsenal

Set-pieces remain Arsenal’s best attacking option with injuries and a lack of form affecting those at the top of the pitch, so it may be to look further back for a solid goalscorer option.

Declan Rice is one to consider given his strength at dead-ball situations, while William Saliba could also have a say at corners or free-kicks.

However, for better value it may pay to back Riccardo Calafiori getting on the scoresheet in this fixture.

The Italian scored on the opening day of term in the win over Manchester United, and his licence to get forward makes the left-back a realistic goal threat.