Any setbacks could be fatal for Arsenal in their pursuit of Premier League leaders Liverpool but the Gunners are rallying to the cause and are chasing a fourth straight victory away at Brighton.
Mikel Arteta’s side currently trail Liverpool by six points, having played one game more, but a trio of successes against Crystal Palace, Ipswich and Brentford show they are up for the chase.
That means that the Gunners are unbeaten in nine league games and they will be targeting maximum points at Brighton, who are going through a lean spell with no win in seven.
Brighton are struggling to convert draws into wins, having shared the spoils in five of their last seven matches, but they remain tenth and in the hunt for European qualification.
That said, the Seagulls have had a pretty soft run of recent fixtures and this will be much tougher against title-chasing Arsenal, who eased to a 3-0 victory on their trip to the Amex last April.
Arsenal to win & over 2.5 goals - 13/8
Arsenal did remarkably well to come from a goal down to ultimately ease to a 3-1 success at Brentford on New Year’s Day and they can build on that by beating Brighton.
Still without the influential Bukayo Saka through injury, Arteta also had to do without the ill Kai Havertz while Declan Rice was only deemed fit enough for the bench.
But it didn’t deter the Gunners, with goals from Gabriel Jesus, Mikel Merino and Gabriel Martinelli guiding them to a third straight league victory.
It was a second away league win on the spin for Arsenal, who had won 5-1 at Crystal Palace prior to beating Brentford, and this looks the perfect time to be travelling to the south coast to face Brighton.
After a promising start to life under Fabian Hurzeler, Brighton have been undone by a seven-game winless run and that is despite facing fixtures against Leicester, Southampton, West Ham and Brentford in that period.
The Seagulls have also suffered 3-1 defeats to Fulham and Crystal Palace during that time and they should be fearing the worst against Arsenal, who are starting to go through the gears.
That said, there is at least hope that Brighton can play their part in an entertaining encounter given that both teams have scored in 15 of their 19 league games this season.
With Arsenal having also conceded in eight straight away league games, goals looks likely and the Gunners are taken to win a high-scoring Saturday tea-time kick-off.
Gabriel Jesus to score at any time - 15/8
With talisman Saka out injured, Jesus has started to deliver the goods and his rich vein of scoring form makes him a difficult man for Arteta to drop at Brighton.
It had appeared as if the Brazilian had forgotten how to score but he has banished those concerns with six goals in his last four games, building on a brace in the 5-1 win at Palace with the equaliser in the recent 3-1 victory at Brentford.
Havertz missed the trip to Brentford due to illness so three days on his participation could be in doubt, which would leave the in-form Jesus to lead the line.
When Arsenal defeated Brighton 2-0 at home last season, the former Manchester City man opened the scoring and he could cap off his rejuvenation with another goal against the Seagulls at the Amex.
Carlos Baleba to be shown a card - 2/1
Given the desperation both teams have for points and with it likely to be a high-octane encounter filled with goals, cards should be on the agenda.
And one of the likeliest card candidates is Brighton’s young holding midfielder Carlos Baleba, who will be tasked with stopping Arsenal playing and retrieving possession.
Baleba picked up his third booking in his last seven starts against Aston Villa last time out, making five successful tackles but also committing two fouls.
The Cameroon international was also cautioned in the 3-0 defeat in this fixture last season and may fall foul to the referee again.
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Brighton - 10/3
Arsenal - 4/5
Draw - 11/4
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.