Paul Merson and Chris Sutton have both delivered their predictions for this weekend’s Premier League clash between Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion

This Saturday, Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion square off in a crucial Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium. Presently, the North Londoners are one point ahead of third-place Aston Villa and one point behind league-league rivals Liverpool in second place on the table.

The Gunners’ UEFA Champions League campaign was essentially a dead-rubber after losing 1-0 to Villa on Saturday and drew 1-1 with PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday. When Roberto De Zerbi and company arrive in the nation’s capital on Sunday afternoon, Mikel Arteta’s team will be itching to resume their winning ways.

However, the Seagulls have won their previous three away games against Arsenal and have a stellar record at the Emirates. Paul Merson, a Gunners hero, has predicted the score ahead of start and backed his former team to win.

“Brighton is a funny team; you never know what you’re going to get from them,” Merson stated in an interview with Sportskeeda. They only managed a 1-1 draw against Burnley last weekend, missing out on victory. They play in the UEFA Conference League tonight (a Thursday) before heading to the Emirates Stadium.

“I thought Arsenal played pretty well, but they lost to Aston Villa last weekend.

They gave up an early goal, but they missed other opportunities to tie the

score, which can come back to haunt them in the race for the championship.

Particularly Martin Odegaard had two excellent opportunities to score, but he

was unable to put the ball in the back of the net.

“Arsenal must defeat Brighton if they hope to compete for the title, especially because they will soon be visiting Anfield

to play league leaders Liverpool. Although I don’t believe this game is

over, I do think the Gunners will win again.”

Chris Sutton, a former forward for Chelsea, also offered his predictions for the game on Sunday. Like Merson, he believes that the north London business will benefit from the outcome.

“The bottom line is that Brighton play in the Europa League on Thursday evening, which makes this trip even harder for them when going to Emirates Stadium is difficult enough anyway,” Sutton stated to the BBC.

“After losing to Aston Villa, Arsenal will feel hard done by. With Brighton leaking goals at the moment, I can see them doing the same here. They generated enough chances to win that game. They will only take them this once.”