Brighton & Hove Albion v Arsenal – Line-ups, Injury News, Match Facts, Preview And Prediction

Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Arsenal

FA Cup Fourth Round

Jan 26, 2013 at 3pm (UK)

​Falmer Stadium

 

Arsenal take a short trip to Brighton as they face the Sea Gulls in the FA cup fourth round encounter. With the league and Capital one cup out of the way, FA cup is the best bet for Arsenal to win a silver ware this season. It has not been an easy way route for the Gunners and having played two matches to overcome Swansea, they would want to finish this quickly and move on to the next round. 

Meanwhile Brighton & Hove Albion(Brighton) are on a mini impressive run of form lately. They have just lost a single game in their previous 6 matches including a win over Premier League side Newcastle to reach the fourth round and cannot be taken lightly.

Brighton have quite few players who have played in the top flight and will certainly give them an additional hope when they host Arsenal. Former Chelsea and Manchester City left back Wayne Bridge, as well as former Manchester United keeper Tomasz Kuszczak will be available along with Craig Mackail-Smith who has 11 goals to his name. 

Talking to the press ahead of their clash, Brighton manager Puyet was full on praises about Arsene Wenger and his philosophies, he said: 

“I would like to emulate what Arsene has done at Arsenal. I don’t necessarily support the team but I like watching them play. When I watch football I watch teams that I can learn from and Arsenal are one of those teams. I really enjoy watching them play.”

 

Team News and Injury News:

Arsenal:

After picking up a knock in his ankle last week, Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen will not be missing out. However midfielder Abou Diaby and Thomas Rosicky will return to the squad from their injuries. Midfielder Francis Coquelin and Mikel Arteta are still out as they continue to work their way back into fitness. It is expected that Wenger will make several changes to the side that ran riot over West Ham and Jenkinson, Rosicky and Arshavin are the likely candidates to get a first team call up. Mertesacker will pair up along side Koscielny in the defense and Brazilian Santos who made a substitute appearance last week may get some game time as well. 

Brighton:

Brighton’s major worry will be on their right back Bruno who will have a late fitness test today on his Achilles injury. It is up-to their manager Gus Puyet to decide whether or not he starts with Thomas Kuszczak or Casper Ankegren in goal. 

Possible starting lineups:

 Brighton & Hove Albion: Kuszczak; Greer, El-Abd, Calderon, Bridge; Orlandi, Vicente, Dicker, David Lopez, Bridcutt; Barnes. 

Arsenal: Szczesny; Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Santos; Rosicky, Ramsey, Cazorla; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Arshavin, Giroud.

Match Facts: 

• The two sides meet for the first time since January 1988. Kevin Richardson and Perry Groves found the target at the Goldstone in a 2-1 win for Arsenal.
• The clubs have met 13 times before, with Arsenal winning nine, drawing twice and losing twice.
• This is Arsenal’s first ever visit to the AMEX Stadium.
• Mark Flatts, Valur Gislason, Graham Barrett Joe O`Cearuill, Gavin Hoyte, Steve Sidwell, Paul Dickov and Liam Brady have represented both clubs.

Prediction: 1-4 win for the travelling side.