Game Week 18 Predictions: Arsenal to beat Brighton at the Emirates

Bukayo Saka will hope to lead Arsenal to another big win in front of the Emirates Stadium crowd on Saturday, can Brighton stop the Gunners? ...

Bukayo Saka will hope to lead Arsenal to another big win in front of the Emirates Stadium crowd on Saturday, can Brighton stop the Gunners? (Photo credit: Opta)

 Arsenal vs Brighton

Emirates Stadium

4:00pm

Arsenal has been impressive at home; they have won all but one of their home games this season. Up next for them this season is the visit of Brighton and Hove Albion to the Emirates.

By the time the Gunners kick off against the Seagulls, they could very well be second on the log with Manchester City away at the City Ground earlier in the day; a win is going to be required for Mikel Arteta’s men to regain the top spot.

Brighton has seen all shades of results this season. From an impressive win over Manchester City to some embarrassing results that have seen them shuttle within and around the top 10. The goal for the Seagulls is to finish in European places; they must do better than what we have seen so far.

Brighton has only one win in their last five, with each of their last four ending in a loss or a draw. Facing the Gunners, who have won each of their last four, would require concentration, grit and precision whenever they get their chances.

There’s something we know: Brighton will always give you chances to score, but they can also create lots of chances for themselves too. The problem, however, is the fact that Brighton has too many players who choose when to come to the party and when to just sit and watch.

The Seagulls are a lot fresher, with their last game coming last weekend, a goalless draw against Sunderland, while Arsenal might be a little tired after their pulsating 8-7 penalty shootout win over Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.

Who are the players to watch in this fixture? Starting with the home side, Bukayo Saka is always the man, and you wonder how the Seagulls can keep him quiet. Saka will shine in a game like this, as Brighton doesn’t set up to defend; they always want to be expressive, and that will make this one fun.

Declan Rice will run the midfield, while Gabriel Saliba is expected to marshal the defence. The likes of Leandro Trossard and Viktor Gyokeres are also expected to have their say as the north Londoners seek to wrap up their home games for this year on a bang.

Kaoru Mitoma and Yakubu Minteh are the ones to watch for the visitors. Both of them on either flank will trouble anyone with their pace and trickery any day; however, ensuring they defend as a unit will be key to them earning anything from this one.

Verdict: Straight win for Arsenal.