Verdict: Arsenal win
Best Odds: 4/9
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Turning their attention back to EFL Cup action on Wednesday night, Arsenal will welcome Brighton to north London.
Arsenal
Starting with the hosts, while Arsenal might have eventually been forced to settle for another silver medal finish among England’s elite last season, it is no secret that the Gunners are pencilled in as a landslide title contender this time around. Last seen over the weekend putting in another gritty performance as they secured a 1-0 victory at home against Crystal Palace, Mikel Arteta’s men now hold a four-point buffer over the chasing pack. With their sights set on securing a first Premier League crown since 2004, Arsenal are riding a major wave of momentum. Collecting a heavyweight Champions League scalp earlier in the month as they secured a thumping 4-0 victory against Spanish giants Atletico Madrid, Arteta’s high-flying squad have won all of their previous seven consecutive appearances across all competitions. It should also be highlighted, the Gunners have shipped just a single strike from open play so far this season.
Arsenal Team News
Dealing with what has been an injury nightmare since opening up the new campaign, skipper Martin Oddegaard remains on the sidelines with a knee issue. Likewise, Arteta’s side will also be unable to call upon the trio of Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and summer recruit Noni Madueke on Wednesday night.
With Arteta tempted to make a handful of alterations here, the likes of Gabriel Martinelli and Myles Lewis-Skelly should be handed full recalls in north London. Former Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga could replace David Raya between the sticks.
Brighton
As for the visitors, while Brighton might have marked their return from October’s international break with an eye-catching 2-1 victory at home against Newcastle, Fabian Hurzeler’s men have failed to find any real stability this season. Eventually falling to a 4-2 defeat away at Manchester United over the weekend, the former St. Pauli boss has not seen his squad register consecutive Premier League wins since opening up the new campaign. Despite signing off September with a stellar 3-1 victory against Chelsea, Wednesday’s guests are searching for some crucial defensive steel. In fact, the Seagulls have failed to muster a single clean sheet from any of their first nine Premier League appearances. However, despite facing a real challenge here, Brighton should be excited by a stellar recent record in north London. Snatching a 1-1 draw when they last travelled to the Emirates back in August 2024, they have lost just one of their previous five trips to the English capital.
Brighton Team News
Dealing with a recent ankle issue and not featuring since the end of September, Brighton will once again be without Japanese international Kaoru Mitoma on Wednesday night. Likewise, the trio of Solly March, Brajan Gruda and Adam Webster are still dealing with respective knee injuries.
Coming off the bench and opening his Premier League account with a consolation strike at Old Trafford on Saturday, Greek starlet Charalampos Kostoulas could make his first Brighton start here. Paraguayan international Diego Gomez should be handed a full recall in the middle of the park.
Arsenal vs Brighton Key Factors to Consider
- When Arsenal and Brighton last met at the Emirates back in August 2024, Wednesday’s opponents played out a 1-1 stalemate.
- Brighton have lost just one of their previous five trips to north London across all competitions.
- The Gunners have won all of their last seven consecutive appearances across all competitions.
- Arsenal have shipped just a single strike from open play so far this season.
- Brighton have failed to muster a clean sheet from any of their first nine Premier League appearances.
Conclusion
Widening their buffer at the top of the Premier League standings on Sunday afternoon, Arsenal should be dreaming of the chance to mount a genuine domestic silverware sweep this season. Winning all of their previous seven consecutive appearances across all competitions, the Gunners will simply be looking to extend on their sensational run of form. While Brighton might hold a dominant recent record in north London, we are backing Arteta’s camp to extend on their EFL Cup adventure in midweek.
Verdict: Arsenal win
Best Odds: 4/9
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
