Brighton vs Arsenal LIVE: The Gunners dealt Premier League title race blow at the Amex Stadium
Hello and welcome to football.london's coverage of Broghton against Arsenal at the Amex Stadium in the Premier League
Mikel Arteta will revive his league side for the clash after making ten changes against Ipswich Town in their big victory in the League Cup. However, one player who could now make his first start of the league campaign is Bruno Guimaraes.
Ben White, despite Arteta’s claims of being ‘all good’ in the pre-match press conference is not expected to feature as England manager Thomas Tuchel confirmed he was not selected due to injury. Jurrien Timber however looks set to make his first start of the new season after recovering from a groin procedure and rehabilitation.
Fabian Hurzeler was very outspoken on Arsenal’s style when they lost in last season’s fixture on the south coast. Arteta and Hurzeler will renew their battle with the Seagulls having beaten Manchester United away from home in midweek.
So, with that being said, stay with us at football.london as we bring you all the latest match updates and analysis LIVE from the south coast…
It's all over here at the Amex. Arsenal have been pecked by the Seagulls...
O'Reily denied by Raya from close range. Great save.
Leaning back, Rutter spoons the ball over from close range.
Havertz misses a one-on-one. Great save. Poor finish.
Less than a quarter of an hour left to play here at the Amex. Arsenal still trail by three.
The home fans chant: 'Are you Tottenham in disguise?'
Chema extends the Seagulls' lead following a well-worked corner. The Brighton midfield leapt over Gabriel at the back post and headed the ball past Raya.
Kostoulas wins Brighton a corner. Good defending by Havertz.
Arsenal hold a quick team talk on the pitch before getting the ball rolling.
Players are out for the second half. Not long now.
Brighton score a second and are leading here against the champions comfortably. Saka missed the chance to score at one end and the home side counter. Kostoulas with the strike from the edge again, and it isn't blocked.
The Seagulls double their lead. Brighton catch Arsenal on the counter-attack, and Kostoulas beats David Raya from range.
Five minutes or so until the break. Possibly some added time, too.
Ayari slams the ball into the side-netting from a right angle.
Brighton lead and they deserve it. No one closed down Pascal Gross on the edge of the box and the German fired a shot to Raya's near-post and in.
Arsenal have not looked their sharp selves whatsoever this game and Arteta needs to find a solution and quick.
Vuskovic recovers well to extinguish Arsenal counter-attack.
At least he looked in as the Greek drove toward goal, but his touch was too heavy, and they found themselves dispossessed.
Calafiori has an effort blocked from close range. Nice cross to the back post from Saka.
Guimaraes smashes the ball into the side-netting from a tight angle.
Arsenal are all over the place so far in this game. Making bad mistakes at the back and struggling to cope with the Brighton press.
Brighton have leapt out of the gates at the Amex Stadium this afternoon, enjoying the lion's share of possession in Arsenal's half. The Gunners have, so far, weathered the storm on the south coast.
Frantic first 15 minutes. Half an hour or so until the break. It remains 0-0.
Bukayo Saka will be hoping to deliver again for Arsenal.
Bet365 have plenty of odds available including:
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The future is bright at Arsenal with both Max Dowman and Marli Salmon not looking out of place whatsoever among their senior teammates. Arsenal have produced two more starlets to potentially join Bukayo Saka, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri among those taking their careers to new levels.
Dowman scored twice while Salmon started in the heart of a team’s back four which has gained notoriety for just how strong it is. No doubt the missing five senior defenders due to injury have aided this pathway to minutes, but the teenager was not dwelling on such things and instead set about taking his chance.
What strikes you most about Dowman is the level of confidence he has. When you watch young players in a team of superstars, they’re often receiving the ball and returning it from where it came, but no one expects that of the 16-year-old.
Max Dowman of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team’s third goal with Viktor Gyokeres during the Carabao Cup Third Round match(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
If you’re a match-going Arsenal fan who’s looking for some local men's football alternatives next weekend - with so little nearby action high up the ladder during the international break - here are some upcoming, value-for-money alternatives that aren’t too far from the Emirates!
Next Saturday (Sep 26), the National League pyramid has Slough Town, Chesham United and Bedford Town all in action, and there’s an FA Trophy game at Real Bedford. For all those games, the total round-trip from North London is about 100 miles or less and the total cost for ticket plus fuel can be done under £35, according to Select Car Leasing data.
Brighton: Verbruggen; Kadioglu, Struijk, Vuskovic, Boscagli; Ayari, Gross, Chema; Gomez, Kostoulas, De Cuyper
Subs: Steele, Hadjam, Rutter, Promise, Osman, Costinha, Svoboda, O'Riley, Yalcouye