Brighton & Hove Albion vs Arsenal Live Streams and TV Channels

Brighton & Hove Albion vs Arsenal Match Preview

Arsenal has not been able to enjoy consistency in their results over the last month or so. From their last four official matches, the Gunners have altered wins and losses, with their latest match ending in a 5-1 thumping of West Ham at the Emirates. 

Arsene Wenger is well aware that the FA Cup may offer his side the best chance to end their trophy drought, so he will need to make sure his side is prepared to avoid a shocking result on Saturday.

Earlier this season, the Gunners took on Bradford City for the League Cup, only to be eliminated after a penalty shootout. Chamakh who is now on loan with West Ham and Thomas Vermaelen both struck the post, allowing the lower level Bradford City to move on.

In the previous round of the FA Cup, Brighton pulled off a shocking result as they defeated Newcastle 2-0. Goals from Andrea Orlandi and Will Hoskins dictated the end of the road for Newcastle in the competition, adding to Alan Pardew's frustrations in the current campaign.

The Gunners took on Swansea City who has been very consistent in the new campaign under new manager Michael Laudrup. The Welsh side took the lead with Michu slotting a shot past Szczesny but Lukas Podolski and Kieran Gibbs helped the London side turn the result.

Danny Graham's late strike in the match exposed Arsenal's defensive frailties once again and forced a replay at the Emirates Stadium. Fortunately for Arsenal, an inspired Jack Wilshere led them to glory with a late strike which gave Arsenal a slim 1-0 victory over the Swans.

Brighton's manager, Gus Poyet, has made it clear that he would like to manage Arsenal at some point in his career, so he will be prepared to prove his worth on Saturday. 

The Championship side is currently 7th, but they have only lost twice in their previous 17 matches. 

Two key players for Brighton will be former Manchester United goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak and former Chelsea defender Wayne Bridge, who is on loan from Manchester City.

Wenger has made it clear that Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen will most likely not feature in this match after picking up a slight ankle injury against West Ham. While he is improbable for Saturdays match, Wenger beieves that it does not appear to be anything serious.

Arsenal's Current Form

01-01-13 Southampton 1-1 Arsenal (Premier League)

01-06-13 Swansea 2-2 Arsenal (FA Cup)

01-13-13 Arsenal 0-2 Manchester City (Premier League)

01-16-13 Arsenal 1-0 Swansea (FA Cup)

01-20-13 Chelsea 2-1 Arsenal (Premier League)

01-23-13 Arsenal 5-1 West Ham (Premier League)

Brighton's Current Form

12-19-12 Brighton 1-3 Watford (Championship)

01-01-13 Ipswich 0-3 Brighton (Championship)

01-05-13 Brighton 2-0 Newcastle (FA Cup)

01-12-13 Brighton 2-1 Derby (Championship)

01-19-13 Birmingham 2-2 Brighton (Championship)

01-22-13 Blackburn 1-1 Brighton (Championship)

Prediction

Not knowing what Arsenal side is going to show up makes it very difficult to predict the outcome of this match. As we saw against West Ham, Arsenal started slow once again, but they fortunately managed to dig themselves out of a hole quick enough.

Against Chelsea, the Gunners looked like a local team that had just been put together minutes before kick-off. They had no urgency and they looked like a team without a plan offensively and defensively. 

Proving that they can compete, Brighton made that more than clear after they defeated Newcastle. The hosts will be well aware of Arsenal's weaknesses. 

Whether it is from a dead ball or the run of play, Arsenal is capable of conceding at anytime, giving the hosts plenty of hope, as long as they do not allow themselves to fall too far behind.

Arsene Wenger may make a few changes to his side, but he will not want to do anything drastic. If the Gunners can take hold of the game right from the get go, then they will grow in confidence. Failing to do so will give Brighton the confidence they need to see off the Premier League side.

Brighton 0-2 Arsenal

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