Match Day Thread Brighton & Hove Albion vs Arsenal - Matchday Thread

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Venue: Amex Stadium
Date: Saturday 6th April 2024
KO time: 17:30 BST

Overall Record

Wins: 16
Losses: 8
Draws: 5

Last six meetings

Arsenal 2-0 Brighton & Hove Albion
Arsenal 0-3 Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion 2-4 Arsenal
Arsenal 1-3 Brighton & Hove Albion (League Cup)
Arsenal 1-2 Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion 0-0 Arsenal

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This is one of the games I least look forward to every season.
We've only done the double over Brighton once since they've come up. So they do get results against us frequently.
So, for that reason, I am quite nervous ahead of this fixture.

I know their form is patchy, but they've only lost 1 game at home all season, which was against West Ham back in August.
They have drawn a lot of games at home, though.
Fulham, Sheffield United, Burnley, Wolves & Everton have taken points at the Amex. But no-one's been able to beat them at their ground since West Ham.

It's going to take a huge effort to get all 3 points. I hope the boys can get the job done.

 

Not sure Saka will back back yet, so we are probably looking at...

Martinelli-------Havertz-----------Jesus
-----Rice-----Jorginho----Odegaard----
Kiwior----Gabriel---Saliba-------White

Strong enough for sure.
Partey and Trossard can come off the bench and make an impact.

 

I quite like this team apart from Zinchenko starting. Not a fan of that at all.

I know I’ve said this a few times now, but I really am so happy at how strong our bench is now. So refreshing to have quality options available and game changers too.

 

I quite like Zinnie playing - I know that means we won't be as solid but he offers a lot offensively.

Surprised Saka is starting while Martinelli is back on the bench.

 

28 mins gone and I’m disappointed we’re not ahead. Brighton have put us under some pressure and they’ve pressed/won the ball from us well at times, but our chances were gilt edged. Gabriel from two corners, Saka’s chance and Jesus’s chance - they all need to be doing better with those. This isn’t the time for profligacy.

 

Why do we need to pass the ball there? Jorginho had a sight on goal, he should have taken the shot.

 

Penalty. Lamptey challenge on Jesus. Was a poor challenge, but he does get a slight touch on the ball. Not sure if it’s enough to get overturned, though.

 

1-0! Saka from the spot! Confidently slotted away.

 

Havertz with an utterly stupid foul in a dangerous area for Brighton that could be awkward for Raya. What a muppet.

 

Gabriel walking a bit gingerly. I really hope he’ll be ok. Would be a huge blow if that impact challenge forces him off.

 

Enciso with a great shot forcing a top save from Raya. We need to be careful here. Need to get a second soon.

 

HT. 0-1.

Good performance, but we should have extended our lead with another goal or two. After a nervy 10 minutes, we grew into the game, starting winning the ball high up the pitch, sustaining pressure and got in behind a lot but our final ball or final shot hasn’t been up to par. Verbruggen’s made some good saves, but we haven’t been ruthless enough.

Brighton's press baiting has been good and they have forced us to go M2M, which has confused us a bit when Odegaard is leading the press as they've been able to get in behind Rice a few times once Odegaard has been bypassed. But we've defended well in the last line.

Saliba has been superb under pressure and played some beautiful lofted passes into the channels when White has overlapped.

Strong display overall, but I really hope it won’t come back to bite us in the second half.

 

2-0! Havertz! Great work from Rice and Odegaard, who plays it into Jorginho and sets it up to Havertz for a lovely finish.

 

Jesus and Saka off for Trossard and Martinelli. Trossard’s introduction receiving a backdrop of boos from the Brighton faithful.

 

Trossard with a lovely run and shot than Verbruggen saves. He’d definitely love to get on the scoresheet tonight.

 

Tomiyasu coming on for Zinchenko. To be fair to Zinny, aside from that dodgy moment at the start of the second half, he played well today.

 

Havertz has had a really good game today. Pressed well from the front, won duels, caused problems for Van Heycke and Dunk all game, won fouls to relieve pressure, linked play well with his back to goal, made some very intelligent runs and has capped his display off with a deserved goal.

 

3-0! Trossard against his former club! Superbly dinked finish once he was through on goal. Of course he’s going to celebrate This has been a big performance.

 

Nketiah and Vieira on for Odegaard and Havertz