Arsenal vs Brighton LIVE commentary: Hurzeler looks to hit Gunners’ title hopes as unbeaten sides clash – kick-off time, team news, and how to follow.

Arsenal will hope to take top spot in the early Premier League kick-off this weekend, but face a Brighton side flying under new manager Fabian Hurzeler.

It’s another tricky encounter on the agenda for Mikel Arteta but his side reaffirmed their title credentials last weekend with an emphatic 2-0 victory over Aston Villa.

Decisive finishes from Leandro Trossard and Thomas Partey sent Arsenal home with an important victory, and left them joint-top with Manchester City, Liverpool and Brighton.

As for the Seagulls, there was late carnage at the Amex last Saturday as a 95th-minute Joao Pedro winner meant Albion stole the points away from Manchester United.

An enthralling spectacle on the South Coast also saw Danny Welbeck score his trademark goal against his former employers, and Hurzeler will be looking to build upon that against the Gunners.

Arsenal vs Brighton: Frightening Welbeck to scare old side again?

It’s a new season, and Welbeck is back amongst the goals and he will be hoping to add to his tally upon an eagerly-awaited return to the Emirates.

Last Saturday, the 33-year-old came back to haunt former side United, burying Kaoru Mitoma’s cross right in front of his once adoring fan base.

Add this to an opening day strike at Goodison Park, alongside a pair of pre-season goals, and Welbeck is currently one of the most deadly finishers in England.

Standing in his way this weekend will be Arsenal’s formidable defensive unite that has become a staple of Arteta’s title challenging side over the past three years.

The back four is the foundation as to why Arsenal have won each of their last eight in the league conceding just three in the process, a feat last achieved in the unforgettable invincible campaign.

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• Arsenal have won three of their last four Premier League games against Brighton (L1), as many as they had in their first 10 against them beforehand (D3 L4).
• Brighton have won three of their seven Premier League away games against Arsenal (D1 L3). They’re one of just three teams to have won more or as many visits to the Emirates as they’ve lost in the competition, along with Manchester City (W7 L6) and Swansea City (W3 L3).
• Brighton failed to win any of their seven Premier League away games against London sides last season, drawing three and losing four. Their last victory in the capital was a 3-0 victory at Arsenal in May 2023.

Arsenal vs Brighton: Date and how to follow

This Premier League game is set to take place on Saturday, August 31.

Kick off at The Emirates is scheduled for 12:30pm.

talkSPORT will have live coverage from North London, with Faye Carruthers serving as your presenter.

Commentary will then come from Sam Matterface and former England captain Stuart Pearce.

To tune in to talkSPORT through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

Listen via the talkSPORT app here, or on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

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• Victory for Arsenal in this game would see them win their opening three Premier League games in a season for a second time under Mikel Arteta (also 2022-23), which would be as many times as they did so prior to his arrival as manager (in 2003-04 and 2004-05 under Arsene Wenger).
• For the third time in the last four seasons, Brighton have won their opening two Premier League matches. The Seagulls haven’t won their opening three league games in a season since 2011-12 in the Championship.
• Arsenal have won each of their last eight Premier League games, since a 2-0 home defeat to Aston Villa in April. They last won nine in a row between January and March 2004.
• Fabian Hürzeler is just the fourth Brighton manager to win his opening two league games in charge, after Alan Mullery (August 1976), Jeff Wood (January 1999) and Micky Adams (April 1999), none of whom won their third game.

Arsenal vs Brighton: Team news

Arteta looks set to be without Brazil international Gabriel Jesus against Brighton due to a groin issue.

In addition, versatile full-back Takehiro Tomiyasu remains sidelined with a knee injury, but could be set to make a return to training next month.

New signing Mikel Merino could make his debut for the Gunners.

A tricky test for Hurzeler has been made even more difficult as Bart Verbruggen, Mats Wieffer, Pervis Estupinan and Evan Ferguson race against the clock to be back in time for Saturday.

And in another blow for Albion, their new signing Matt O’Riley will need ankle surgery after receiving a crunching tackle in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup win over Crawley.

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• Arsenal’s Kai Havertz has been involved in nine goals in his last eight Premier League appearances at Emirates Stadium (6 goals, 3 assists), while his first home league goal for the Gunners came against Brighton in December last year.
• Bukayo Saka has been involved in 17 goals in his last 19 Premier League appearances for Arsenal (12 goals, 5 assists), assisting in each of their first two games in 2024-25. The only Arsenal player to assist a goal in the first three games of a Premier League season was Thierry Henry in 2004-05.
• Danny Welbeck is looking to score in three consecutive Premier League appearances for the first time since January 2014, while the last player to score in each of Brighton’s first three league games in a single campaign was Nicky Forster in 2008-09.

Arsenal vs Brighton: What has been said?

Arsenal super-sub Trossard has hailed the competition in their squad and believes it will push them to the ‘next level’.

He said: “To come away with three points and another clean sheet, it’s a perfect win for us.

“I know the competition in the team and it pushes everyone to onto the next level.

“I’m very happy to have an impact and help the team and it’s a great win for us.

“I think I’ve shown that over the last months and it helps the team as well and it pushes everyone across the team. In every position there’s competition, it’s what the club also needs.”