Arsenal vs Brighton preview | Confirmed team news | Expected Line-up’s | Prediction

Freddie Ljungberg takes charge of his first home game as interim Arsenal manager when Brighton head to the Emirates this evening. 

Ljungberg didn’t get off to the winning start he’d hoped for after replacing Unai Emery last week as Arsenal had to come from behind twice to draw 2-2 with Norwich City at Carrow Road on Sunday afternoon.

The draw extended our winless run to eight matches in all competitions and we languish down in mid-table so Arsenal desperately need to get back to winning ways tonight if we’re to remain in the hunt for a top four finish.

However, we can’t take anything for granted against a solid Brighton side. They might be struggling at the wrong end of the table after collecting 15 points from their 14 games so far but they have performed well in several games and a win tonight would move them to within just one point of Arsenal.

Team news

Hector Bellerin has trained with the Arsenal first team this week so he’s expected to be back in contention to start at right-back after missing the last two games with a hamstring injury.

Rob Holding should also be available again after recovering from a minor muscle problem but Arsenal have confirmed Dani Ceballos remains on the sidelines with a hamstring injury that’s hampered him for the past month.

Ljungberg could freshen things up even further with Gabriel Martinelli, Lucas Torreira and Kieran Tierney all pushing for recalls while Nicolas Pepe will hope to feature after not getting off the bench on Sunday.

Brighton will have Bernardo back in the squad after he recovered from a knee injury that’s kept him out since August but Solly March and Jose Izquierdo remain on the sidelines.

Expected line-ups

Prediction

Arsenal 2-1 Brighton: There were some positive signs in Ljungberg’s first match but familiar problems at the back undermined any progress we made when in possession so the Arsenal boss will hope to tighten things up in defence. We’re on a terrible run of form but Arsenal have still lost just one of their last 25 league games at the Emirates and have never lost at home to Brighton in any competition.

Brighton have also lost there last four league games on the road – including a 2-1 defeat against Liverpool at the weekend – and I think Arsenal might just edge this one tonight. I’m backing Ljungberg to get his first victory under his belt and get Arsenal back to winning ways with a narrow 2-1 win.