Brighton vs Arsenal LIVE: Premier League team news, line-ups and more as Bukayo Saka starts

Brighton and Hove Albion host Arsenal in the Premier League tonight as the Gunners aim to return to the top of the table in the title race. Mikel Arteta’s side claimed a valuable point against Manchester City last weekend and now have the chance to give Liverpool an advantage over Jurgen Klopp’s men who visit rivals Manchester United and Old Trafford tomorrow.

Arsenal recorded a 2-0 win over Luton in midweek as Arteta took the opportunity to change his starting line-up ahead of a busy month of games. The first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich is fast approaching on Tuesday evening, but Arteta must ensure his players remain focused on their Premier League challenge in Brighton.

Roberto De Zerbi’s side have won just one of their last five in the Premier League after a 2-1 defeat at Anfield last weekend and a 0-0 stalemate at Brentford in midweek. Arsenal have been in excellent form away from home since the turn of the year, keeping four straight clean sheets in the Premier League, and the Gunners won the reverse fixture 2-0 earlier this season.

Follow live updates of Brighton vs Arsenal in the Premier League below,and receive the latest odds and tips about the competition here

Brighton vs Arsenal LIVE: Latest Premier League updates

• Brighton host Arsenal in another key match in the Premier League title race, with kick-off at 5.30pm

• Gunners could be top of the table ahead of Liverpool’s visit to Manchester United tomorrow

• Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice return for Arsenal

• Brighton XI: Verbruggen; Lamptey, Van Hecke, Dunk, Estupinan; Baleba, gross; Enciso, Moder, Adingra; Welbeck

• Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Jorginho, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Jesus

Brighton & Hove Albion FC – Arsenal FC

Brighton vs Arsenal

4:40 PM , Mike Jones

Arsenal are unbeaten in their last three visits to Brighton with two wins and one draw. Both teams have won five of the thirteen Premier League meetings between Arsenal and Brighton.

The story continues

Brighton vs Arsenal

4:35 PM , Mike Jones

Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi makes five changes to the midweek team. Enter Tariq Lamptey, Pervis Estupinan, Julio Enciso, Jakub Moder and Danny Welbeck.

They replace Joel Veltman, Igor Julio, Facundo Buonanotte, Adam Lallana and Joao Pedro, who all start on the bench.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta makes four changes for tonight’s match. Bukayo Saka is fit to start on Wednesday after being absent with a minor injury.

Declan Rice, Jorginho and Gabriel Jesus also all return to the starting line-up, while Thomas Partey, Emile Smith Rowe and Leandro Trossard drop to the bench, with Reiss Nelson missing the ball.

Lineups: Brighton and Arsenal

16:33 , Mike Jones

Brighton XI: Verbruggen; Lamptey, Van Hecke, Dunk, Estupinan; Baleba, gross; Enciso, Moder, Adingra; Welbeck

Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Jorginho, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Jesus

Havertz is not yet at his best for Arsenal

16:25 , Mike Jones

“I’m very happy,” said Mikel Arteta when asked how Kai Havertz has established himself in the team this season. “He has incredible qualities to occupy different spaces in the attacking phase, to threaten the goal, to connect the game and if you also need to be more direct, he will give you that layout.

“Not only that, but I think his defensive contribution is excellent for the team, with his work rate and the effort he puts in especially in the press. There are more to come, more games to come, he has to improve the numbers and I’m sure he will try to do that.

“At this age, and he just started with us, it’s his first season, he’s building relationships. He also moves in those positions and he is so good, and with the intelligence he has he can be much better.”

The Zerbi on Arteta

4:20 PM , Mike Jones

Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi says he respects Mikel Arteta and the style of football he has brought to Arsenal since taking over as manager.

“Mikel Arteta is a great manager,” said De Zerbi, “I have great respect for his work and his style is clear. They always play with great intensity and courage.

“I think they will be aggressive and they have a clear style, with and without the ball. I think it will be a fun match to watch.”

Arteta on victory over Luton

4:15 PM , Mike Jones

Arsenal managed to keep up the pressure on Liverpool during the week with a 2-0 win over Luton. Mikel Arteta made a number of changes for the game but was impressed with the way his team came together.

“I was obviously very happy with the result and the performance and the fact that everyone responded in the way we expected,” said Arteta,

“If you make changes there is a possibility because they haven’t played that much, but I think the boys were really good.”

Arsenal star Oleksandr Zinchenko would fight in Ukraine if called up

16:10 , Mike Jones

Arsenal defender Oleksandr Zinchenko has revealed he would return to Ukraine to fight for his country’s defense if called up.

The 27-year-old has already donated £1 million to help those at home following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Asked by the BBC News night On whether he would answer a call, Zinchenko said: “I think it is a clear answer. I would go.”

He said several of his former school friends had already joined the Ukrainian army.

Arsenal star Oleksandr Zinchenko would fight in Ukraine if called up

Brighton vs Arsenal prediction

16:05 , Mike Jones

Mikel Arteta’s side remain steady away from home and should continue their title challenge with a determined, if unspectacular, victory against a stubborn Brighton team.

Brighton 0-2 Arsenal.

Brighton vs Arsenal betting tips: Premier League predictions, odds and free bets

4:00 PM , Mike Jones

With Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City’s matches spread by the television companies, the picture in the title race will evolve with each weekend remaining in the campaign.

Three points there will lift the defending champions above the Gunners, who then travel to the Amex Stadium to take on Brighton in the evening kick-off (5.30pm, Sky Sports Main Event).

With Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday, a ground they were defeated on just three weeks ago, this could be a huge weekend for Mikel Arteta and his title challengers. A win against the Seagulls and Reds will be a big pressure against Manchester United.

Arsenal are overwhelming favorites in the Premier League odds to take the three points on the south coast, with the hosts available at 9/2 to damage the Gunners’ title.

Brighton vs Arsenal betting tips: Premier League predictions, odds and free bets

What’s the early team news?

15:55 , Mike Jones

Brighton could welcome Pervis Estupinan, but De Zerbi remains without a number of key players, including Kaoru Mitoma, Solly March, James Milner and Billy Gilmour. Striker Julio Enciso is working his way back to full fitness after coming off the bench in the 0-0 draw against Brentford.

Bukayo Saka is a doubt for Arsenal but Arteta plans to bring back a number of stars who were rested in midweek, including Declan Rice. Gabriel Martinelli may be fit enough to make his first start since the 6-0 win over Sheffield United after back-to-back appearances off the bench.

How to watch Brighton vs Arsenal

3:50 PM , Mike Jones

The Premier League match starts on Saturday April 6 at 5.30pm BST. The broadcast will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and the Premier League, with coverage starting from 5pm.

If you’re not a Sky customer, you can purchase a NOWTV day pass here to watch without a subscription.

Welcome

15:45 , Mike Jones

Arsenal have the chance to return to the top of the Premier League when the Gunners visit Brighton and Hove Albion in the title race.

Mikel Arteta was able to rotate his starting line-up ahead of a busy run of fixtures before the visit of depleted Luton Town in midweek, with Arsenal cruising to a comfortable 2-0 win at the Emirates.

A trip to the south coast should present a tougher challenge, while Arsenal must also remain focused on the title race, with the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals against Bayern Munich on Tuesday. Arsenal can put pressure on Liverpool ahead of their trip to Old Trafford tomorrow.

Brighton have won just one of their last five Premier League games, with Roberto De Zerbi’s side dropping more points in their 0-0 stalemate to Brentford in midweek. Arsenal won 2-0 in the reverse fixture earlier this season.

We’ll have all the team news, lineups and more all afternoon, so stick with us as we build up to kick off at 5:30 PM.