Premier League leaders Arsenal travel to the Amex Stadium on Saturday to face a Brighton side that has made an impressive start to the campaign.
Brighton sit fifth with seven points from four matches and have scored 13 league goals. They also arrive after consecutive victories over Coventry City and Manchester United.
Arsenal have taken 12 points from 12 while conceding only once. Mikel Arteta's defending champions have won all seven competitive matches this season and can equal a 123-year club record with another victory.
Brighton vs Arsenal: Key Stats
Brighton have collected seven points from their opening four Premier League matches
The Seagulls have scored 13 league goals, including five against Coventry last weekend
Arsenal have won all four league games, scoring eight goals and conceding only once
The Gunners have won all seven competitive matches this season
Arsenal have won the last three meetings and are unbeaten in five Premier League visits to the Amex
Photo Credit (Arsenal FC)
What to Expect
Brighton should press aggressively and push several players into advanced positions. Pascal Gross and Yasin Ayari can dictate possession, while Maxim De Cuyper, Malick Yalcouye and Diego Gomez support Charalampos Kostoulas.
Georginio Rutter is available again and could feature from the bench, but Femi Azeez requires assessment. Mats Wieffer is expected to remain out with a knee problem, while Jack Hinshelwood, Yankuba Minteh, Kaoru Mitoma, Stefanos Tzimas and Evan Ferguson have also been dealing with injuries.
Arsenal can allow Brighton to advance before attacking the space behind their high defensive line. Bukayo Saka and Christos Tzolis provide the pace on either side of Kai Havertz, with Martin Odegaard linking midfield and attack.
William Saliba remains sidelined with a back injury. Ben White, Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera are major doubts, but Jurrien Timber could return at right-back after his midweek absence was described as precautionary.
Predicted Lineups
Brighton (4-2-3-1)
Verbruggen; Kadioglu, Vuskovic, Dunk, Boscagli; Ayari, Gross; De Cuyper, Yalcouye, Gomez; Kostoulas
Arsenal (4-2-3-1)
Raya; Timber, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Guimaraes; Saka, Odegaard, Tzolis; Havertz
Players to Watch
Charalampos Kostoulas - The Greek striker has already surpassed his league total from last season and scored in Brighton's victories over Coventry and Manchester United. His movement behind Arsenal's centre-backs will be central to the hosts' attacking plan.
Maxim De Cuyper - De Cuyper completed Brighton's comeback at Old Trafford after coming off the bench. His forward runs can overload Arsenal's left side, although the space he leaves behind may also be targeted by Tzolis.
Bukayo Saka - Arsenal's captain converted the late penalty that sealed victory at Sunderland and scored the winner on the Gunners' previous visit to the Amex. His duel with Brighton's left side could decide the contest.
Christos Tzolis - Tzolis gives Arsenal a direct threat from the left and combines effectively with Riccardo Calafiori. His acceleration should be particularly valuable when the visitors break through Brighton's aggressive press.
Prediction
Prediction: Arsenal -0.5Asian handicap @ 1.66
Brighton's 13 league goals demand respect, and their comeback at Old Trafford demonstrated the belief within Hurzeler's squad. However, Arsenal possess the defensive structure and transition threat required to punish the Seagulls' aggressive approach.
The champions have conceded only once in four league matches, won their last three meetings with Brighton and are unbeaten across their last five Premier League visits to the Amex. Arsenal should therefore create the better chances, with a 2-1 away victory the preferred scoreline.