Brighton vs Arsenal: FA Cup match preview

A look at Sundays FA Cup fixture at the Emirates

Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud celebrate with Alexis Sanchez after he puts the Gunners 1-0 with a penalty (GETTY IMAGES)

Arsene Wenger’s team will go into Sunday’s game buoyed by last week’s emphatic victory over Manchester City.

However injuries to first team players including Jack Wilshere, Mathiew Debuchy, Danny Welbeck and most recently Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain might just tempt Wenger to give more opportunities to the less senior players in his squad, whilst new Polish signing Krystian Bielik could also make his debut.

Meanwhile, Brighton, who occupy 20th spot in the Championship enter Sunday’s fourth round tie on the back of an improving set of results under new boss Chris Hughton. The seagulls, who parted ways with Sami Hyypia in December, will be hoping to continue their good run of form going into Sunday’s match, which has seen the South coast team lose just once in their last seven matches.

KICK-OFF: Sunday, 4pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS...

FA Cup, 26 January 2013, Arsenal 3 (Giroud 2, Walcott) Brighton 2 (Barnes, Ulloa)

Division 1, February 1983 Arsenal 3- Brighton 1

Division 1, 9 July 1982, Brighton 1 Arsenal 0

STATS…

Brighton can only count two victories over the reigning FA Cup champions- both of those wins coming in the 1981/1982 season (Soccerpunter.com)

Overall the teams have met on nine occasions, with Arsenal winning six of the encounters (Soccerpunter.com)

The seagulls have only scored six goals against Arsenal in the nine times they’ve met (Soccerpunter.com)

Brighton have netted a respectable 8 goals in their last five games- one short of Arsenals 9.

ODDS...

Arsenal 4-7

Brighton 4-1

TV: BT Sport 1, 4pm