Can Arsenal close the gap on Liverpool this weekend?
Brighton & Hove Albion v Arsenal preview
Brighton host Arsenal at the Amex in Saturday’s late kick-off, eager to end a winless run of eight matches that has seen them slip to 10th in the Premier League table.
The Seagulls have drawn five of their last seven games, including their most recent three against West Ham, Brentford, and Aston Villa. However, they’ll be wary of matching an unwanted record—Brighton haven’t drawn four league games in a row since October 2014, back when they were in the Championship under the management of former Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia.
Currently, Brighton find themselves 12 points adrift of Saturday’s visitors. Arsenal head into the match on a high after closing the gap to league leaders Liverpool to six points with a 3-1 win over Brentford on Wednesday,
The Gunners are in impressive form, having won six and drawn three of their league matches since their last defeat—a narrow 1-0 loss at Newcastle in early November.
Can Arsenal keep up their impressive form this evening? eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com/2025/01/arse...
— European Super Football (@superfootball.bsky.social) 4 January 2025 at 11:46
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Can Brighton get back to their best?
Fabian Hurzeler’s introduction to Premier League management has been seamless, with just one defeat in his first nine games in charge. His impressive start saw his team in fine form, and only a month ago, they were flying high in fourth place after back-to-back victories against Manchester City and Bournemouth. However, their momentum has stalled since then.
December proved to be a frustrating month for the Seagulls, as they managed just five points from six matches. Draws have become a recurring issue, and while they’ve been tough to beat—suffering only two losses in that stretch, away at Fulham and at home to fierce rivals Crystal Palace—they’ve struggled defensively, often failing to turn one point into three.
Recent draws against Southampton, Leicester City, and West Ham United highlight this trend. That said, they’ll likely a recent draw against Aston Villa as a positive. Tariq Lamptey’s 81st-minute equaliser earned a point at Villa Park, leaving them sitting in 10th place ahead of the weekend.
Last time out for Brighton - youtu.be/48MGg8c5WDI?...
— European Super Football (@superfootball.bsky.social) 4 January 2025 at 11:51
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Jesus looking to maintain impressive form
2024 was a year to forget for Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus, as he managed just two goals across the entire calendar year before being handed a start in the League Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace. The Brazilian repaid his manager’s trust in style, netting a hat-trick in a thrilling 3-2 victory that booked Arsenal’s spot in the semi-finals.
He didn’t stop there, scoring twice more against the same opposition just three days later as the Gunners cruised to a 5-1 win, ending the year with an impressive five goals in three games.
The 27-year-old has carried that momentum into 2025, opening his side’s account in their 3-1 New Year’s Day victory over Brentford.
