[Albion] Arsenal vs Brighton & Hove Albion *** Official Match Thread ***

[Dick Head]

Arsenal v Albion

PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue: Emirates Stadium
Date: Saturday 31st August 2024
Kick-off: 12:30 BST
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
Assistants: Lee Betts, Richard West
Fourth Official: John Busby
VAR: Andy Madley
Additional VAR: Steven Meredith
​

TEAM NEWS

Arsenal's new signing Mikel Merino has been ruled out for several weeks after sustaining a shoulder injury in training during a collision with Gabriel.

Manager Mikel Arteta said that Merino had suffered a "small fracture" after the centre-back had fallen on top of him.

Brighton & Hove Albion's Matt O'Riley has undergone ankle surgery after being injured within the first 10 minutes of his debut against Crawley Town on Tuesday.

Head coach Fabian Hurzeler has said new signing Ferdi Kadioglu could make his first appearance for the club, but Evan Ferguson and Mats Wieffer are doubts.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Arsenal have won three of their last four league matches against Brighton.
• The Seagulls have won three of their seven top-flight away matches versus the Gunners (D1, L3).

Arsenal

• Arsenal are aiming to win nine successive Premier League matches for the first time since January to March 2004 during their 'Invincibles' title-winning season.
• They have won 18 of their 20 top-flight games in 2024, only dropping points in a 0-0 draw at Manchester City and a 2-0 home loss to Aston Villa.
• Bukayo Saka could become the first Arsenal player since Thierry Henry in 2004-05 to assist a goal in the first three games of a top-flight season.
• In 2024, only Cole Palmer (15 goals, 10 assists) and Erling Haaland (17 goals, one assist) have been directly involved in as many Premier League goals as Kai Havertz (10 goals, seven assists). The German has scored in each of his last three league meetings with Brighton.

Albion

• Brighton could win their opening three games of a Premier League season for the first time.
• The Seagulls were winless in all seven of their top-flight away games in London last season, drawing three and losing four, with their last victory in the capital a 3-0 win at the Emirates in May 2023.
• Danny Welbeck is looking to score in three consecutive Premier League appearances for the first time since January 2014.
• Fabian Hurzeler is the first Brighton boss to win his opening two league games in charge since Micky Adams in April 1999.

Fabian Hürzeler's Arsenal Press Conference

 

[Mortdecai]

 

[Deadly Danson]

Heads up - looks like the 09.44 Thameslink Brighton to Finsbury Park which I'm guessing a lot of us would get is already cancelled. Worth planning alternatives.

 

[jcdenton08]

Through to the next round here lads, absolutely no excuses this time. We’ve got to be beating teams like this, especially in front of our own crowd.

I’m backing us tonight, in front of a roaring support. Got a feeling Dahoud will surprise us all.

4-0 - March with a hattrick, Dahoud with a header and youngster Barco off the bench with the other.

UP THE ALBION!!!

 

[jcdenton08]

Assuming we win as expected, I can see us getting all 3 points from this.

These are just my personal predilections for the match, not a promise. I’m not Mister Meg.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

I've got a feeling about this one

 

[Safe.]

If we can come away without it being a mauling I'd be happy. Just don't think we're defensively ready for this one.

 

[Beach Hut]

So excited

 

[Greg Bobkin]

This next game could be season-season-defining.

 

[El Turi]

Thanks to our great start, this is a free hit. It’s a shame we’ve already got so many injuries as I think we could have given them a game with a fully fit side.

 

[Goldstone1976]

Were loose

 

[P.C. Beard]

Anyone know if the park and ride is running?

 

[lawros left foot]

Is Hurzeler still the youngest ever Premier League manager?

Only it’s not been mentioned much recently, and it’s not mentioned in @Dick Head match preview at all.

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

How indicative of the likely selection are the Albion's social posts?

 

[AmexRuislip]

Albion U18s playing away at Spuds U18s today, 11.30 ko.
So hopefully an away win.

 

[BNthree]

9.44 Thameslink out of Brighton is cancelled

 

[Perfidious Albion]

Has to be one of the most difficult away games of the season. Given the state of changes at the club , I would be very pleased with a point.

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

Not going today booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. Son decided to get married.

 

[Littlemo]

Not going today booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. Son decided to get married.

On a match day? Very selfish of him!

Spoiler

Congratulations to him

 

[HangletonGull]

At Hayward’s heath now on the way up really looking forward to this