Brighton vs Arsenal: Premier league, Matchweek 5 Preview
Arsenal travel to the south coast to take on Brighton at the American Express Stadium on Saturday afternoon in a bid to maintain their 100 percent record and solidify their position at the top of the Premier League before the upcoming international break. It is attack versus defence as Brighton’s fluid attack with 13 goals scored, the most in the league is up against Arsenal’s rock solid defence with one goal conceded.
The Gunners will be in confident mood aiming for an eight straight win this season in all competitions, a fantastic run which sees Mikel Arteta’s men as a serious threat to challenge on multiple fronts this season. Last weekend, Arsenal came out the other side with a 2-0 victory over a physical Sunderland team at the Stadium of Light to avenge a 2-2 drew from last season. They also eased into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with a 4-2 win over Ipswich Town at Portman Road where young teenage sensation Max Dowman was the star of the show scoring a brace.
Brighton on the other hand will fancy their chances against the champions in front of a passionate home crowd down on the coast. The Seagulls have made a solid start to the season sitting in fifth place with UEFA Champions League qualification a serious target for the south coast club.
Fabian Hurzeler’s men have only lost once this season, a tight 4-3 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on matchweek two. They romped to a 5-0 win away at Coventry City last week and staged a remarkable comeback at Old Trafford against Manchester United in the Carabao cup, fighting back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 and enter the fourth round.
Max Dowman of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team’s third goal with Viktor Gyokeres during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Ipswich Town and Arsenal at Portman Road on September 15, 2026 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Team News
Arsenal
French centre back William Saliba remains a long term absentee with a back injury sustained whilst on internation duty with France at the World Cup.
Jurrien Timber should be in contention for a start on Saturday after coming off the bench and returning from injury against Sunderland. He was left out of the squad against Ipswich Town but this is thought to be precautionary rather than a setback.
Christhian Mosquera (muscle) and Ben White (groin) are both major doubts for the weekend and look set to be out for several weeks.
Ecuador international Piero Hincapie is also a major doubt with a muscular injury picked up in training as he missed the Ipswich Town match.
Bruno Guimaraes could make his first Premier League start after coming off the bench and scoring against Sunderland last week while Max Dowman could make the bench after his midweek exploits.
Brighton
Full back Jaouen Hadjam picked up an injury against Manchester United on Wednesday and is a doubt for Saturday, but Ferdi Kadioglu should return to the starting line-up.
Georginio Rutter is back after an ankle issue and could return to the line-up after coming off the bench in midweek.
Evan Ferguson (ankle), Mats Wieffer (knee), Jack Hinshelwood (knock), Kaoru Mitoma (thigh), Yankuba Minteh (calf) and Stefanos Tzimas all remain out.
Likely Line-ups
Arsenal
Raya; Timber, Gabriel, Konsa, Calafiori; Rice, Guimaraes, Odegaard; Saka, Tzolis, Havertz.
Brighton
Verbruggen; Kadioglu, Dunk, Vuskovic, Boscagli; Gross, Ayari; Gomez, Yalcouye, De Cuyper; Kostoulas.
Key Players
Arsenal - David Raya
When Davia Raya first arrived at Arsenal in 2023, the move was met with some scepticism and well as some confusion. Not because of a doubt of his quality but because Arsenal already had a fans favourite in Aaron Ramsdale. Rewind to the 2022-2023 season, Ramsdale was named as the goalkeeper in the PFA team of the year after a stellar season when The Gunners finished second after finishing fifth the season before.
Fast forward to the present day and David Raya has become a key component in not only winning the league but also in the way Arsenal play. Mikel Arteta made a tough decision to change his goalkeeper but the risk has reaped rewards.
David Raya claimed his third consecutive golden glove last season conceding only 27 goals with 19 clean sheets. He has continued his fine form into the new season with an exceptional displaying against Sunderland last week also saving a penalty from Enzo Le Fee.
His ability to play out from the back and beat the opponents press with accurate distribution, his ability to relieve pressure with box dominance and claiming crosses has been key to Arsenal’s recent success. His laser reflexes and shot stopping and his concentration levels to make big saves has been key to Arsenal’s title success and progression. If Arsenal are to take three points from Brighton, David Raya will need to be on top form given The Seagulls goalscoring ability.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 12: Sunderland's Enzo Le Fée sees his penalty saved by Arsenal's David Raya during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Sunderland and Arsenal FC at Stadium of Light on September 12, 2026 in Sunderland, United Kingdom. (Photo by Rich Linley - CameraSport via Getty Images)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 12: Sunderland's Enzo Le Fée sees his penalty saved by Arsenal's David Raya during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Sunderland and Arsenal FC at Stadium of Light on September 12, 2026 in Sunderland, United Kingdom. (Photo by Rich Linley - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Sunderland's Enzo Le Fée sees his penalty saved by Arsenal's David Raya during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Sunderland and Arsenal FC at Stadium of Light on September 12, 2026 in Sunderland, United Kingdom. (Photo by Rich Linley - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Brighton – Pascal Gross
Pascal Gross is considered by fans and staff as one of Brighton’s most influence players in the Premier League era. His midfield engine, his intelligence and adaptability has made him a crowd favourite and given him cult hero status down on the south coast.
Even at the age of 35 he showed no signs of aging with a player of the match display at Old Trafford in midweek where he also scored a fine equaliser showing quick feet and intelligence to slot home a crucial equaliser.
Gross’s greatest quality lies in his creativity, vision and his ability to score clutch goals from midfield. Over his time at Brighton he has shown extraordinary tactical versatility filling in at central, attacking and defensive midfield, and even at full back. Regardless of where he plays he acts as the conductor and heartbeat of the team dictating the tempo and pace of a match while inspiring his team mate with his leadership ability.
Across his four premier league appearances this season, he has already created 13 goal scoring opportunities and has a 91 percent passing completion rate. He contributed a goal and two assists in the 5-0 victory over Coventry and has delivered 10 corner kicks and 29 total crosses in the box this season.
If Brighton are to get anything from this game, he will need to be on fine form and use his leadership, creativity and goalscoring threat to help his team.
Pascal Groß of Brighton & Hove Albion scores to make it 2-2 and celebrates during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford on September 16, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by MB Media/Getty Images)
Match Details
Where is the game been played?
This game is being played at the home of Brighton at the American Express stadium with a capacity of 32,176 seats.
What time is kick off?
Kick off is scheduled for 15:00 GMT on Saturday 19th September.
How can I watch?
This match isn’t televised in the UK as a 15:00 kick off on a Saturday. Highlights will be made available after the match on Sky Sports YouTube channel and on match of the day on Saturday night.