Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Arsenal: Team News, Preview, Live Stream, TV Info
Brighton & Hove Albion can heap more misery on struggling Arsenal when they host the Gunners at the Amex Stadium in the Premier League on Sunday.
Arsenal are sixth in the table and enter the game off back-to-back 3-0 defeats to Manchester City. Thursday's home loss to the league leaders created more doubt about manager Arsene Wenger's future, particularly since his team is 10 points off fourth place and thus looking unlikely to qualify for next season's UEFA Champions League.
The Gunners are in dire straits, but the Seagulls have been in fine form recently, going unbeaten in six matches in all competitions. Glenn Murray's goals have helped Brighton climb to 12th, four points clear of the bottom three.
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Arsenal's main injury concerns involve Nacho Monreal. Wenger has said the left-back will miss Sunday's game as he deals with an inflamed back, per Sky Sports.
Further forward, striker Alexandre Lacazette will also be unavailable, as he continues to recover from knee surgery.
One player who is a doubt for the trip to Brighton is Jack Wilshere. Wenger told Sky Sports before Thursday's game against City how the playmaker had a "little pain" (h/t MailOnline's Joe Strange).
Wenger thinks Wilshere should return for Sunday, but Arsenal are well-stocked in midfield if their diminutive No. 10 doesn't make the trip. What Wenger needs is better performances from creative maestros Mesut Ozil, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Aaron Ramsey.
All three misfired in front of goal and struggled to find their passing ranges during the dire doubleheader with City. The defeats have seen the calls for Wenger to be replaced grow, with former chairman Peter Hill-Wood saying "there probably ought to be a change of management," per David Woods of the Daily Star.
However, Wenger remains in charge and will still demand a game based on stylish possession, something in short supply recently.
Style hasn't been lacking for Brighton, though, with schemer Pascal Gross and winger Jose Izquierdo fashioning a host of chances for Murray of late. The 34-year-old has scored three goals in his past three league appearances.
Murray made history for the Seagulls when he bagged a brace during the recent 4-1 win over Swansea City, per Squawka Football:
His form is bad news for an Arsenal defence that has been breached 39 times in 28 league matches.
Murray, Gross and Izquierdo will all be available for a Brighton side almost at full strength, with ex-Gunners midfielder Steve Sidwell the only player missing, per Jim Sheridan of The Sun.
Brighton are playing good football under shrewd manager Chris Hughton, and it's hard to see anything other than a home win against an Arsenal side bereft of confidence.
