Arsenal travel to Brighton hoping to close the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool in the late Saturday kick-off.
The Gunners visit the Amex Stadium knowing a win will take to within three points of the high-flying Reds.
Liverpool, however, have a game in hand but host fierce rivals Manchester United on Sunday.
Brighton, meanwhile, will be looking to recapture their early season form that saw them lose just once in the first eight league games.
The Seagulls, under fledgling manager Fabian Hurzeler, are winless in their last seven league fixtures, although the Seagulls have lost just twice during that run.
Hurzeler’s side have tasted defeat just once at home in the league this season and so will fancy themselves to get something from the contest.
Read on to see how the two sides line-up for what promises to be an intriguing encounter.
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Brighton team news
The hosts make three changes from the side that drew with Aston Villa five days ago.
Joel Veltman and Pervis Estupinan come in for Tariq Lamptey and captain Lewis Dunk, while Julio Enciso makes way for Matt O’Riley.
Joao Pedro continues to lead the line for the Seagulls with Danny Welbeck still sidelined through injury.
TEAM NEWS! 🚨 Here’s our starting XI to take on @Arsenal this evening. 👀📝 pic.twitter.com/yZScjoIEt7
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) January 4, 2025
Arsenal team news
Mikel Arteta also makes three changes for the Gunners’ trip to the south coast. Declan Rice returns to the starting line-up, while Jorginho partners the England player in midfield in place of Martin Odegaard, who drops to the bench.
Thomas Partey fills in at right-back in place of the suspended Jurrien Timber, while Leandro Trossard starts against his former club.
Gabriel Martinelli could make his 200th appearance for Arsenal should he come on as a substitute, while Gabriel plays in his 15oth Premier League game.
Kai Havertz remains absent with illness.
⚫️ 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 🔴
🔙 Rice returns to the starting XI
©️ Jorginho skippers the side
🤝 Trossard faces his former teamLet’s give it everything we’ve got, Gunners 👊
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 4, 2025
