Match Preview: Arsenal hope to bounce back against Brighton after Palace

Arsenal will be hosting Brighton at home this Saturday as they look to get back on track after Monday’s loss. Brighton themselves are desperately in search of a win, after consecutive losses and their last result being a draw.

The Gunners had to face a setback against the Eagles and had to see Spurs climb above them in tables over the weekend. Still, Arteta’s men hold a game in hand over Conte’s team and are tied on points.

Arsenal had no bite in attack or defense against Crystal Palace

After a couple of key injuries to Partey and Tierney, it’ll be a test for Arteta to find solutions. The coach, however, is full of optimism.

“We have to show tomorrow the energy, the commitment and the passion that we want to play the game tomorrow in front of our fans,” he said via Arsenal.

Team News

Kieran Tierney will be out for this game and his injury might keep him out for the rest of the season. Arteta confirmed the left-back had surgery but didn’t confirm any timeline for his return.

“He just had surgery yesterday, so it’s very early to understand how everything is going to develop, he’s going to be out for the period that we estimate and in which condition he will be after that period I think it’s too soon to say something else.”

Arteta speaking now – He says it's unclear if Partey will play again this season:

"He has a significant injury, he will be out for some weeks. It’s an area he had a previous injury and he felt it straight away."

— Charles Watts (@charles_watts) April 8, 2022

Another player that will miss the game is Thomas Partey, who is struggling with a thigh injury. “It’s a little bit ambiguous but he has a significant injury. We will have to keep assessing him but he will be out for some weeks,” he said.

Further elaborating, “It’s an area he had a previous injury and he felt it straight away and he’s not fit.”

Possible Arsenal Starting XI

Arsenal: Ramsdale; Cedric, White, Gabriel, Nuno; Lokonga, Xhaka; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Lacazette

Result Prediction

Arsenal 2 – 1 Brighton

We fully expect Arteta’s men to get back to winning ways after that setback on Monday night. Brighton, while they shouldn’t be taken lightly, are winless in their last seven games.

Check out everything Arteta had to say about Arsenal’s game against Brighton and more

Arteta and Arsenal were faced with an unexpected setback with a humiliating defeat at Selhurst park. The Gunners looked done and out of the game from the kick off whistle.

When asked how the defeat impacted the squad, Arteta had a bit to say. “Embrace the challenge. You lost, now you want to win, it’s hurting and it’s still hurting. We lost two big players, two really important players for us for sure.” Via Arsenal.

While his tone suggested he blamed injuries, he accepted responsibility and to accept the result.

Arsenal have been dealt another injury blow, with Mikel Arteta confirming fans' fears over Thomas Parteyhttps://t.co/CzgiVcNpTI pic.twitter.com/xGJMO8i6s1

— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) April 8, 2022

“But whenever that happens you can’t cry for it because they are not going to be available for us. So we have to find other solutions and we have to be as good and as competitive as we have been.”

Arteta was also asked about what were his expectations for the match against Brighton. The Spaniard said the usual things one says before a game about his opponent.

Mikel Arteta went on to say that the issues we faced against Crystal Palace must be addressed against Brighton.

Bring on tomorrow!! 👊#AFC pic.twitter.com/BMSVaidiEo

— AK – 24/7 Arsenal News (@akarsenalnews) April 8, 2022

“They’re a team with a lot of personality, a coach that is very willing to play, that is very aggressive in the way they press, that wants to dominate the game and they have good players to do that but they are very difficult to beat.”

Besides just complimenting Brighton, he commented on their set piece intelligence and defense.

Arteta when asked about top four

The coach was also asked about if the belief of finishing top four is still there. His comments implicated he wants the squad to move on from the defeat and focus on the task ahead.

“[The setback] has happened and it’s happened with nine games to go and we have to react now.

We have to show tomorrow the energy, the commitment and the passion that we want to play the game tomorrow in front of our fans.”

The reason for why Arsenal will be coming back stronger is very simple. The answer lies in the response Mikel Arteta had to the defeat against Crystal Palace on Monday night.

With a defeat in an ‘easy’ game against Crystal Palace, many will be hoping Arsenal can attain all points against Brighton. However, many people also underestimated the Eagles and Arsenal suffered one of their worst losses of the season.

Atmosphere built around Arsenal will be instrumental in coming back stronger

There was only 1 key positive about our game on Monday. Fans sung songs dedicated to Mikel Arteta and the atmosphere surrounding the club will be especially instrumental in tough phases like these.

Crystal Palace 3-0 Arsenal

Awful performance, awful result & here’s the reaction from the away fans at full time.

We’re backing @m8arteta & we’re backing The @Arsenal. ✊🏽🔴

The best away support in the land. pic.twitter.com/vBmxSfDRyj

— Moh Haider (@ArsenalMoh8) April 4, 2022

Objectively, Arsenal only has one way to bounce back just like every club on the planet, with a win. Nevertheless, this is always easier said than done.

But, Mikel Arteta’s record as a coach at Arsenal indicates towards only one thing. The Spaniard has dealt with setback after setback and has finally managed to turn around Arsenal’s fortunes this season.

“This is an opportunity to see when we talk about unity, if you are on board. When everything goes well everyone wants to be there,” Arteta said in the post match interview after the loss at Selhurst Park.

Arteta: "We made it impossible for ourselves. We were really poor, really inconsistent on the ball. At that level, it is unacceptable."

— Charles Watts (@charles_watts) April 4, 2022

He also said: “We made it impossible for ourselves. We were really poor, really inconsistent on the ball. At that level, it is unacceptable.”

The gaffer’s response is a step in the right direction when bouncing back after a setback. Knowing what went wrong, analyzing it and then solving it.

Being a student of Pep Guardiola’s, this is part and parcel for the former Everton midfielder. His acknowledgement and honesty are traits that all successful managers possess.

Brighton themselves are desperate for a win. They have been winless in their last five games, losing four of those. Nevertheless, it would be a big mistake to take them lightly.