Arsenal vs Brighton Prediction: Saka to add to his tally?

After suffering defeat against Aston Villa last weekend, Arsenal will be looking for a response on home soil when Brighton & Hove Albion pay a visit to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon (14:00).

The Gunners currently find themselves a point behind leaders Liverpool, and they know that they will need to be at their best to keep themselves in this year's title race. Home form is vital, as they say, for a team wishing to become the Premier League champions, and after last week's setback against another potential title challenger in Villa, Arsenal need to respond.

Brighton will be heading here with their tails up, though. Their dramatic late winner over Marseille on Thursday saw them progress to the Europa League knockout stage as the group winners. They have managed the workload of both the league and Europe extremely well in trying circumstances, with several key players suffering injuries this term.

They won't make it easy for Arsenal this weekend, and we are expecting an interesting game of football in north London. We take a look at where the value might lie in this contest.

Match Odds

You won't find much value in backing Arsenal to win at 4/9. Given Brighton's habit of upsetting the big boys in the Premier League in recent years, a draw is at an enticing 7/2. A win for the visitors is valued at 11/2, which would be very tempting.

Both teams to score here is 8/11 - and it is worth noting that Arsenal have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last two home league matches. Over 2.5 goals is 4/7, and this has landed in 17 of Brighton's last 20 away games in the Premier League.

Team News

Arsenal are set to be boosted by the return of Gabriel Martinelli, after the Brazilian winger missed their Champions League trip in midweek due to illness. Mikel Arteta did lose Mohamed Elneny (hamstring), however, in their draw with PSV Eindhoven in the week.

He joins Takehiro Tomiyasu (calf), Jurrien Timber (knee), Thomas Partey (thigh) and Fabio Vieira (groin) in the treatment room.

Brighton still have a big injury list of their own. Danny Welbeck won't be fit enough for a reunion with his former club, continuing his spell on the sidelines. Ansu Fati (thigh), Pervis Estupinan (thigh), Tariq Lamptey (thigh), Julio Enciso (knee) and Solly March (knee) are also out of action.

Arsenal and both teams to score @ 9/5

Two competitive matches have passed in the last week and Arsenal have failed to win either of them. This is not good enough for would-be Premier League champions and Arteta will demand a convincing performance, as well as a result, against the Seagulls on Sunday.

Arsenal have won their last four home games in the Premier League, which will give them confidence heading into the weekend but they will be well aware that De Zerbi's side came and beat them 3-0 here last term.

The Gunners will be gunning for revenge and their home record this year cannot be ignored. We fancy them to stretch their winning run at home in the league to five games, but we don't think it will be easy by any means.

Brighton are the trouble makers among the big six and they will be up for causing nuisance once again. Key players may be sidelined, but the Seagulls still find themselves chasing the European places and the players who are available are sharing the work load.

David Raya will likely be in goal for the Gunners this weekend and he has been susceptible to mistakes recently. Brighton are exactly the side to make him uneasy and have another blunder. Expect them to get on the scoresheet here.

Bukayo Saka to score anytime @ 9/5

One point that is being made about Arsenal this season is that they are not as fluid in attack as they were last year. That is true, however, they have been grinding out victories in games they weren't at their best at this season which you feel they wouldn't have done last season. That is a sign of champions.

The attacking players have come under criticism which has been fair to a degree, but Bukayo Saka is posting excellent numbers individually. The England star has scored five goals and provided six assists in 15 Premier League appearances in 2023-24 and although he will wish his goals output was closer to the likes of Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah, he is carrying his side's attacking output currently.

We fancy him to add to his tally this weekend against the Seagulls because currently they are without a natural and athletic left-back, which could see veteran James Milner (37) tasked with dealing with the tricky winger.

On paper this is a very uneven match-up and Saka should be able to run the former Liverpool man ragged, which should mean that a lot of goalscoring opportunities will come his way. And when he gets a sight of goal cutting in from the right, you will back him to put the chance away.