Arsenal will return to the top of the Premier League table when they host Brighton this weekend.
The Gunners were outplayed by Liverpool last weekend after a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa.
A much-changed side were then held to a 1-1 draw by PSV Eindhoven in midweek and Arsenal will be desperate to return to winning ways.
Brighton themselves feel the burden of being in Europe on their team, having fallen to eighth place after just one win in their last three top-flight games.
Arsenal are under pressure to register a response back on home turf – but unfortunately for them, Brighton seem to have their number.
Mikel Arteta’s side have lost their last 3 games in the Emirates against the Seagulls in all competitions.
Brighton’s record of 57 wins per cent in the Emirates is also that of any visiting English team since its inauguration in 2006.
Roberto De Zerbi’s man ran out 3-0 winners when these two sides met in north London in May in a game that effectively ended Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge.
The only consolation from this match is that Arsenal have since remained unbeaten in 12 home games in all competitions, winning ten and scoring at least twice in 11 of those matches.
Gabriel Martinelli missed the midweek trip to Eindhoven due to illness but is expected to give the home side a special touch upon return.
Mohamed Elneny added to his recent injury by injuring his hamstring in a rare start at PSV.
Arsenal also have several long-term absentees including Takehiro Tomiyasu, Jurrien Timber, and Thomas Partey.
Brighton are also suffering from a long-term injury problem, with Solly March, Julio Enciso, Pervis Estupinan, Danny Welbeck, Ansu Fati, Tariq Lamptey and Adam Webster all in the recovery room.
Arsenal fans have been asked not to expect too much from Kai Havertz despite the German’s recent change in form.
Rory Jennings didn’t mince words when asked by talkSPORT presenter Ade Oladipo about the striker’s current form.
He said: “Kai Havertz isn’t the man Arsenal need him to be. He isn’t good enough to play in the Premier League and he’s certainly not good enough to play at Arsenal. He’s not better than any of the players who were at Arsenal before he arrived.
“He’s done alright recently, he’s scored a couple of goals from a couple of yards, he’s done OK, but we’ve seen all this before and nothing has changed.
Jennings added: “He hasn’t turned a corner, he hasn’t. It’s all smoke and mirrors with Kai Havertz. It’s all an illusion.”
This Premier League match will take place on Sunday, December 17th.
Kick-off at the Emirates Stadium is scheduled for 2:00 p. m.
Unfortunately, this match will be televised on UK screens, as it was selected via Sky Sports for live coverage.
However, the highlights will be visible on the Sky Sports page and online app some time after the adjustment is finalised and then at the Day 2 adjustment.
Updates will also be broadcast live on talkSPORT in the afternoon as part of our live policy consultation on Sunday with Sam Matterface.
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