Game Week 32 Predictions: Arsenal to beat Brighton at the Emirates

  Aaron Ramsdale stretched to keep out the ball from Neal Maupay in the reverse fixture that ended goalless last September, he would be busy...

 

Aaron Ramsdale stretched to keep out the ball from Neal Maupay in the reverse fixture that ended goalless last September, he would be busy again when Everton visit the Emirates on Saturday. (Photo credit: Premierleague.com)

Arsenal vs Brighton

Emirates Stadium

3:00pm

Crystal Palace beat Arsenal on Monday night but the Gunners really couldn’t complain, they were horrible on the night and if the game went on for two hours more at Selhurst Park on the night, it was the hosts that would score more.

Arsenal were pathetic on the night and to make matters worse, they lost Thomas Partey to a hamstring injury that looked exactly like the type he copped at Tottenham Hotspur stadium last season, that will rule him out of the game against Brighton at the Emirates.

Neal Maupay would need every opportunity he can get in this fixture to right the wrongs of the game between Brighton and Norwich last weekend; the Dutchman was handed a spot kick to send the Seagulls in front after a bizarre handball in the Norwich area but he ballooned his effort.

Arsenal missed the chance to go back to fourth on the log with the failure to get anything from Selhurst Park, now they have another chance to do so as they might be starting the game in sixth, considering the fact that United would play first on the day and could beat Everton to move to 5^th.

Arsenal are in a crisis of bodies. Partey will be out for “weeks” according to Mikel Arteta and Kieran Tierney is out for the rest of the season after a successful knee injury on Thursday, Takehiro Tomiyasu is out at least for another two weeks, their decision not to sign anyone in January is coming back to roost.

Brighton aren’t exactly in danger of getting relegated but Newcastle’s win against Wolves changed the dynamics in a way. Brighton are ten points clear of the relegation zone and one more win should be just enough to see them again next season, but do they want to finish behind Newcastle?

Arsenal will have to unleash everyone early in this fixture, Albert Sambi Lokonga is the obvious choice to replace Partey while Nuno Tavares is the man to replace Tierney, both were targeted by Crystal Palace on Monday and Brighton will look to do the same.

Brighton have a good record against Arsenal in recent times but lost here last season, both sides played out a goalless draw in the reverse fixture but the Gunners need this game more than they can imagine with Spurs and United circling the top four ticket, it’s a must win for Arteta’s men.

Verdict: Arsenal to win