Premier League: Seasonal South Coast Soiree to bring Curtain Down on 2022

Brighton & Hove Albion vs Arsenal

The final Premier League clash of 2022 and, just as they were involved in the first fixture of the year, Arsenal will feature in the last one.

When they reflect on their progress over the last 12 months, both Saturday’s hosts Brighton and the Gunners can reflect on tangible progress.

So this New Year’s Eve teatime contest genuinely has the potential for Premier League highlights

Talking Points

Arsenal fans are starting to believe Mikel Arteta’s side can genuinely maintain their push for the club’s first title since Arsene Wenger’s ‘Invincibles’ in 2004.

The Spaniard has built a new team in the past three years which bears little resemblance – in style and substance – to the one picked for his first game at Bournemouth in 2019.

Although he will not be getting carried away after the win over West Ham on Boxing Day, the team which topped the Premier League table on Christmas Day have gone on to be champions in 10 of the past 13 seasons.

Despite being top with just one defeat to their name, many think Arsenal will not last the course.

That is not being harsh for why should they?

After all, this is a team which has not been genuinely involved in a title race at the business-end of the season for more than a decade and, for all of Arteta’s work at the club, to jump from fifth to first in one foul swoop was never expected.

What’s more, the player they swooped for from the champions in the summer, Gabriel Jesus – who has made such a positive impact since arriving in North London – is out injured for the next few months.

The Brazilian centre-forward has been a huge part of Arsenal’s scorching start this term, scoring five goals and dishing out five assists to help the team build a five-point lead at the top of the table.

Yet in many ways he has brought far more to the club with a level of professionalism and unselfishness which appears to have rubbed off on those around him.

While relying on the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Eddie Nketiah to deliver the goals, Arteta knows he will need to find, at least a short-term replacement come the January transfer window if their title bid is to be sustained.

With Manchester City in tow, the chase is certainly on.

All the pressure is on the leaders against a Brighton side whose new manager Roberto De Zerbi has guided to three wins in their last four league games and fourth success in all competitions.

He believed Albion produced their best display under his guidance as they won at Southampton earlier this week and has hinted that promising Scottish midfielder Billy Gilmour is in line to replace suspended Moises Caicedo when Arsenal visit the Amex.

Gilmour has struggled for playing time since his move from Chelsea but he started and impressed when Albion won away to the Gunners in the League Cup.

Alexis Mac Allister is on holiday in Argentina after his World Cup exploits.

History

Arsenal have defeated Brighton 14 times in history – twice as many as the other way round – but you might expect that figure to be higher given the differing resources between the club from the capital and the club from the south coast.

A further five meetings have ended all square, that included a stalemate in the corresponding fixture last term.

Since then, the Seagulls have shocked the Gunners not once but twice and are now seeking a second win over them in less than two months.

They famously won at the Emirates Stadium in April last season – a 2-1 victory, sealed by goals from Leandro Trossard and Enock Mwepu (Martin Odegaard replied for the home side) which proved costly in their chase for a top four finish.

Then, last month, the third round of the League Cup saw Nketiah put Arsenal in front before Danny Welbeck levelled from the penalty spot against his former club and Kaoru Mitoma and Tariq Lamptey took control in the second half to seal an impressive 3-1 success.

Believe it or not, Arsenal have only won two of their last 10 meetings in all competitions.

Their very first meeting was in the FA Cup in 1935 when goals from the legendary Ted Drake and Joe Hulme sealed a 2-0 victory for Arsenal.

Betting Tip

It is impressive that Arsenal have only had one league reverse this term and this is another test of their credentials.

As you would expect, they are backed with the SBOTOP Premier League betting odds, both 1X2 @ 2.13 and Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 2.49.

Brighton are on offer @ 1X2 @ 3.45 and Asian Handicap +0.25 @ 2.08 – odds which will be attractive to many, given the way they thrashed Chelsea on the south coast two months ago.

A repeat of the goalless draw in this fixture from last season is available @ 11.00.

Goal options include total 0-1 @ 3.70, 2-3 @ 1.96, 4-6 @ 3.30 and over 2.75 @ 2.07.

All the questions will be asked of Arsenal and I do think they will stand up and be counted.

Yet I’m not sure that will be enough to bring three points back to North London which is why I am opting for a 1X2 Draw @ 3.20 as a *** prediction.

 

●●●

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS

Stay updated with everything sports and betting.

Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.