Arsenal vs Brighton

The festive fixtures continue at the Emirates Stadium today, Saturday, December 27, 2025, as league-leaders Arsenal host Brighton & Hove Albion in a 3:00 PM GMT kick-off.

Having spent Christmas at the summit of the Premier League, Mikel Arteta’s side aims to consolidate their two-point lead over Manchester City. Meanwhile, Fabian Hürzeler’s Brighton—the youngest squad in the league—arrives in North London looking to snap a four-game winless streak and reclaim their spot in the top half of the table.

Match Details

• Competition: Premier League (Matchday 18)

• Kick-off: 15:00 GMT

• Venue: Emirates Stadium, London

• Referee: John Brooks | VAR: Paul Tierney

Current Form: Christmas Leaders vs. Mid-Table Struggle

Arsenal: The Pace-Setters

Arsenal enters this clash in high spirits after a gritty 1-0 win over Everton and a dramatic penalty shootout victory against Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals. Despite a mid-month loss to Aston Villa, the "Gunners" have been the most consistent side in the division, largely thanks to the defensive pairing of William Saliba and the emerging Riccardo Calafiori, and the clinical form of summer arrival Viktor Gyökeres.

Brighton: Searching for a Spark

After a blistering start to the season that saw them beat Manchester City and Chelsea, the "Seagulls" have cooled off in December. They arrive on the back of a frustrated 0-0 draw against Sunderland. The absence of Danny Welbeck in recent weeks has been felt keenly; Brighton has failed to score in their last two outings. However, with key defensive reinforcements returning, they remain a dangerous side capable of high-pressing anyone out of the game.

Team News & Predicted Lineups

Arsenal Team News

Mikel Arteta faces a defensive puzzle. Gabriel Magalhães and Ben White remain sidelined, while Gabriel Martinelli is a major doubt following a knock against Palace. On a positive note, Kai Havertz has returned to full training, though this match may come too soon for a starting role.

• Predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly; Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Gyökeres, Trossard.

Brighton Team News

The visitors are boosted by the return of captain Lewis Dunk and Diego Gomez from suspension. Former Arsenal man Danny Welbeck is also expected to be back in the squad. However, they will be without Carlos Baleba, who has departed for AFCON duty with Cameroon.

• Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Veltman, Dunk, van Hecke, Kadioglu; Wieffer, Ayari; Minteh, Rutter, Mitoma; Welbeck.

Head-to-Head: Recent Dominance

Arsenal has recently exerted control over a fixture that used to be a "bogey" game for them. They have already beaten Brighton this season, a 2-0 victory in the Carabao Cup back in October.

Tactical Analysis: Midfield Control vs. The High Press

The "Zubimendi" Impact

The addition of Martin Zubimendi has allowed Declan Rice more freedom to push forward, creating a more dynamic midfield. Arsenal will look to dominate the central zones and use Bukayo Saka’s 1v1 ability to stretch Brighton’s backline.

The Hürzeler High Line

Brighton under Fabian Hürzeler plays a brave, high defensive line. While this allows them to compress the pitch and win the ball back early, it leaves them vulnerable to the directness of Viktor Gyökeres. If Brighton’s press isn't perfectly coordinated, Arsenal’s ball-playing defenders could exploit the space behind Dunk and van Hecke.

Match Prediction

Brighton is notoriously difficult to play against at the Emirates, but their recent lack of goals is a major concern heading into a stadium where Arsenal has been almost perfect. With the home crowd behind them and the incentive of staying top going into 2026, the Gunners should have enough quality to see this through.

Final Score Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Brighton