Brighton vs Arsenal LIVE: Premier League team news and line-ups as Gunners look to close gap to Liverpool

Arsenal were hit by an illness bug ahead of the New Year’s Day fixture at Brentford, with Kai Havertz missing out after coming down with sickness and other players affected. Jurrien Timber is suspended, which will likely mean Thomas Partey moves to a right-back role he has played on occasion this season.

Predicted Arsenal XI: Raya; Partey, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Rice, Merino; Martinelli, Jesus, Trossard.

Fabian Hurzeler will be hopeful that Pervis Estupinan is able to return after illness, while Adam Webster is nearing his own comeback after a longer lay off. James Milner and Danny Welbeck are among those who remain sidelined.

Predicted Brighton XI: Verbruggen; Lamptey, Dunk, Van Hecke, Estupinan; Baleba, O’Riley; Adingra, Rutter, Mitoma; Pedro.

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage from 5pm GMT. Subscribers can stream the action via Sky Go.

If you want to stream major sporting events while you are travelling or watching from abroad you’ll need a VPN. Get the best VPN deals in the UK. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.

Brighton vs Arsenal is due to kick off at 5.30pm GMT on Saturday 4 January at the Amex Stadium.

Arsenal can close the gap to Liverpool to just three points as they travel south to take on Brighton.

With Arne Slot’s league leaders not in action until Sunday against Manchester United, Mikel Arteta and his side will hope to put the pressure on with another win after opening 2025 with an impressive fightback against Brentford.

Their hosts are likely to prove tricky opposition, though, having secured a draw in the reverse fixture in a game that saw Declan Rice controversially dismissed.

A run of seven games without a win has rather squandered a strong start under Fabian Hurzeler and Brighton will be keen to regather momentum as the second half of the Premier League season begins.

Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of today’s Premier League action as Brighton host Arsenal in Saturday’s late kick off.

The Seagulls are without a win in seven matches though they have drawn their last three league games against West Ham, Brentford and most recently Aston Villa. Fabian Hurzeler’s side are in decent form but haven’t been able to convert their nice play in positive results and will hope to change that against the Gunners today.

They have a difficult task on their hands however. Arsenal are one of the most in-form sides in the league. They are unbeaten in 12 matches across all competitions and have won their last three league games by an aggregate score of 9-2. Gabriel Jesus is back to his best goalscoring form and Mikel Arteta’s men have so far managed to limit the loss of Bukayo Saka to injury.

But how will today’s encounter at the Amex Stadium turn out?

We’ll have all the team news, line-ups and match action throughout the day so stick with us as we build up to kick off at 5.30pm.