Brighton vs Arsenal – Premier League: Live score, team news and updates as The Gunners look to respond to Manchester City’s win and retake top spot with Liverpool not playing until Sunday

Matt Barlow, Mail Sport, at the Amex:

City moved first earlier with a win at the other end of the M23 and Arsenal’s task is to stay in step. They couldn’t do it last year but they look better set this time. Better for the experience. More depth in the squad. They should win this.

Arsenal have kept Brighton waiting, but now they get us underway at the Amex.

Arsenal love a fast start and they will want one here to set the precedent. Brighton love one too though, as shown last week at Anfield.

The Amex is bringing the noise, this match has the feeling of a classic.

The teams have arisen from the tunnel to a huge cheer from both sets of fans, and the game faces are on – it’s time to get serious.

There is also some fire being shot in the air, very fancy!

It is no secret that Labour leader, Keir Starmer, is a massive Arsenal fan.

Well, he is in attendance at the Amex and will be willing the Gunners on to victory.

Will Arsenal put a smile on his face?

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal manager, speaking to Sky Sports:

He’s [Bukayo Saka] been training good the last few days, the games are coming thick and fast.

We have a big task today, and we will have to be better than them in order to do that [win].

We asked the question, Mikel Arteta gave us the answer.

Bukayo Saka is fit to start tonight, which surprised a few after the news he missed training on Friday.

Going by this photo he looks in decent nick though, I wonder if this acrobatic effort found the back of the net.

Maybe he will try this at some point in the match.

Theo Walcott, former Arsenal attacker, speaking on Sky Sports:

The experience they [Arsenal] had from last season, Mikel [Arteta] will make sure they don’t make this mistake again. They’re not going to be fearful today.

That’s the difference I’ve noticed in this team, they know how to get through games.

The Arsenal players have taken to the pitch at the Amex for their warm-up, and it’s fair to say they look happy to be there.

Will they be smiling come 7.30pm though?

I would debate that the kit is more of a lime green, not yellow. But that’s me just being pedantic.

Anyway, Arsenal have decided to go with their away strip today as Brighton have white on their kit.

Is it necessary? I guess so. There is a slight kit clash, although Arsenal have worn red at the Amex in the past.

The atmosphere is bubbling at the Amex as the fans arrive for this clash.

The Brighton fans will need to be at their best if they are to push their side on to beat title-chasing Arsenal.

It’s like they will have to almost suck the ball into the net, as it’s not easy to score against the Gunners.

It’s a big day for Julio Enciso.

It’s been a tough season for the Paraguay international, he has only made six appearances this term due to an injury wiping him out for six months.

Enciso has struggled to find his form from last campaign since his return, but on his day he can produce the goods.

Roberto De Zerbi will be hoping he has his day today!

I feel it’s fair to say it’s not been Gabriel Jesus’ best season goal scoring-wise.

Due to injury and inconsistency, Jesus has found it hard to break into the side in the striker position. He has been deployed as a left-winger recently and is there today.

Jesus has only scored one goal in his last eight Premier League matches, and only four all season.

The Brazilian will be desperate to get back amongst the goals, is tonight the night he does that?

It feels like just yesterday Ben White was in a Brighton shirt.

Well, today he is set to make his 100th Premier League appearance for Arsenal, against his former side.

Time really does fly, doesn’t it? White has been a brilliant bit of business for Arsenal, he’s one of the reasons their defensive record is so good.

I bet he would love a clean sheet to mark the big occasion.

Roberto De Zerbi is not afraid to make changes when he feels the side needs it.

He’s certainly done that today, making five in total. I am surprised Joao Pedro drops to the bench, but Danny Welbeck does do well in De Zerbi’s system.

Can the former England international fire in another cracker like he did last week?

I bet he would love to against his former team.

Roberto De Zerbi has not held back, he’s made five changes to the side that played out a stalemate with Brentford in midweek.

Julio Enciso, Jakub Moder, Danny Welbeck, Tariq Lamptey, and Pervis Estupinan all come in.

Joao Pedro is one of the casualties after returning from injury against the Bees, he’s on the bench.

Bukayo Saka isn’t just involved, he starts.

Declan Rice, Jorginho, and Gabriel Jesus also all come into the side as Mikel Arteta makes four changes.

Arsenal are back at full strength again.

Arsenal have arrived on the south coast.

A certain Bukayo Saka has stepped off the team bus, which suggests he will be involved in some way.

Game faces are active, they have a job to do.

This is a question that has been asked all week.

Bukayo Saka had featured in 104 out of a possible 105 league matches before Arsenal’s win over Luton, in which he sat out.

Many thought that was to give him a much-needed rest, but maybe it was more serious than that.

Mikel Arteta has said Saka faces a late fitness test, and he was not seen in training on Friday.

Will the England international be fit to make the squad? We will find out in just over five minutes.

Please tell me everybody read that sub-heading in the voice of Gandalf. Well, that’s what I did as I wrote it.

The saying reigns very true with Arsenal at the moment, they have conceded just one goal and faced only five shots on target in their last five away league matches.

The Gunners have the best defensive record in the league, having only conceded 24 goals this season.

The impressive record is largely down to the partnership between William Saliba and Gabriel. They have been rocks at the back,

Will they grab another clean sheet today?

The top three spots in this title race are forever interchanging.

After Manchester City’s win earlier, Arsenal now sit third in the Premier League but can go a point clear at the summit with a win over Brighton today, as Liverpool don’t play until tomorrow.

Arsenal haven’t lost in the league since the turn of the year, and the way they are playing at the moment, you feel that run could continue at the Amex.

However, Brighton are no slouch. Roberto De Zerbi’s side pushed Liverpool to their limits at Anfield last week, and are known for getting in Arsenal’s way.

Today’s class is a mouth-watering prospect, let’s hope it delivers.

Oh would you look at that, I’m back again, I hope you all didn’t miss me for too long.

So, now that Manchester City have done their job in this enthralling title race, it’s now the turn of Arsenal.

The Gunners can retake top spot from Liverpool with a win over Brighton, but it won’t be straightforward, the Seagulls are fighting for Europe.

Mikel Arteta’s side barely got out of second gear against Luton in midweek, but you’d expect them to be pushed hard by Roberto De Zerbi’s side today.

I can’t wait for this one, can you? This title race has me well and truly gripped, and it’s not letting me go.

Can Arsenal respond to City? Let’s find out.