ARSENAL welcome Chris Hughton and Brighton to the Emirates on Sunday with the hosts aiming for a fourth successive home win in the Premier League.
But what stats stand out that may help you pick your best bets. Unibet blogger Steve Jennings takes a look.
Arsenal have won their last four matches against Brighton in all competitions
The sides have met 15 times in total with Arsenal winning 11, drawing two and losing two. The Gunners have won the last four encounters in all competitions, the last three of which came in the FA Cup.
The last two results have been identical – Arsenal secured successive 3-2 victories at the Amex in January 2013 then January 2015. The sides haven’t met in the league since February 1983 at Highbury when the hosts ran out 3-1 winners. Brighton’s last victory over Arsenal came in the form of a 1-0 home league win in September 1982.
Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 31 Premier League meetings with newly-promoted sides
Since losing 2-1 at QPR in March 2012, Arsenal have won 26 and drawn five of their 31 encounters with newly-promoted sides in the Premier League, collecting 83 points from a possible 93. The Gunners are yet to face a promoted team this season but will be confident of continuing their impressive record against Brighton.
Last season Arsene Wenger’s side won five of their six meetings with the promoted sides – Burnley, Middlesbrough and Hull City – only dropping points in a 0-0 draw with Middlesbrough at the Emirates.
Brighton have lost five of their six away games at Arsenal in all competitions
The Seagulls have never beaten Arsenal away from home in any competition in six attempts, losing five and drawing one. Brighton managed to hold the Gunners to a 0-0 draw at Highbury in January 1982.
The visitors have scored only once across their six visits to Arsenal. To make matters worse for Albion, Arsenal haven’t lost a Premier League match at home in the month of October since 2002 when Blackburn won 2-1 at Highbury. Since then the hosts have won 21 and drawn five of their 26 October league games at home.
Pascal Gross has been directly involved in four of Brighton’s five Premier League goals
Prior to Brighton’s 1-0 home win over Newcastle last weekend summer signing Pascal Gross had directly contributed to all four of Albion’s Premier League goals this season (two goals and two assists). He also took the free-kick that eventually led to Tomer Hemed’s goal against Newcastle.
Chris Hughton may need others to step up if his side are to leave Arsenal with a valuable point or three. Gross and Hemed are responsible for four of Brighton’s five goals this season and the latter will miss Sunday’s game through suspension after being found guilty of violent conduct last weekend.
Alexandre Lacazette has scored in his opening three home league appearances for Arsenal
Having already bagged goals against Leicester, Bournemouth and West Brom at the Emirates, Alexandre Lacazette could become the first Arsenal player to score in his first four league appearances at home since Jackie Henderson in 1958.
Theo Walcott will also be hoping to see some action – he has scored in Arsenal’s last two games against Brighton. Meanwhile, Alexis Sanchez is still on the hunt for his first Premier League goal of the season and Olivier Giroud hasn’t found the net in the league since the opening-day victory over Leicester.
Best Bet
- Lacazette to score first
- (14-5, Unibet)
In December 2020 we sadly 
Arsenal 2 Brighton 0.