Arsenal begin their quest to end a 30-year drought without an EFL Cup trophy to their name when they play host to Brighton & Hove Albion at the Emirates for the third round on Wednesday.
While Mikel Arteta’s side enter the competition at this stage, the visitors have already had to defeat Forest Green Rovers 3-0 to make it this far.
More and More Arsenal supporters are now starting to believe that a charge for Premier League glory can be sustained, but Arteta’s side must now turn their attention to the EFL Cup, a competition that they have only won twice in their history and most recently in the 1992-93 campaign.
The Gunners did make it to the semi-finals last year, impressively holding Liverpool to a goalless draw at Anfield in the first leg with 10 men before losing 2-0 at the Emirates, and not since the 2014-15 season have they gone out in the third round.
Arsenal enter the midweek contest off the back of three straight wins and clean sheets across all competitions, and their run of victories at the Emirates now stands at 12 games, but Brighton should be no pushovers by any stretch.
Five goals were involved when Brighton put Chelsea to the sword two weekends ago, and another quintet of strikes flew in at Mollineux in the latest round of Premier League matches, but this one was a much more close-run affair.
Maintaining an unlikely European charge will undoubtedly be the goal for Roberto De Zerbi as his side currently sit sixth in the standings after 13 matches, but a deep cup run would also be welcomed by the Amex faithful, whose side have never gone all the way in the EFL Cup. Brighton have suffered two fourth-round exits to Manchester United and Leicester City in the past two campaigns.
Arsenal vs Brighton & Hove Albion head to head
These two teams have previously met on 20 occasions in two competitions, where Arsenal have claimed 10 victories while Brighton have won six, and they have drawn in four. Brighton have scored 18 goals and conceded 31. In their last five meetings, they have each won twice while drawing once.
Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 Arsenal 20/06/20
Brighton & Hove Albion 0-1 Arsenal 29/12/20
Arsenal 2-0 Brighton & Hove Albion 23/05/21
Brighton & Hove Albion 0-0 Arsenal 02/10/21
Arsenal 1-2 Brighton & Hove Albion 09/04/22
Arsenal latest home form
Arsenal have recently been on a good run of form at home, having won each of their 15 most recent matches. They managed to defeat FC Zurich 1-0 in their last home game in the Europa League. In their last five matches, they have scored 13 goals and conceded just two.
Arsenal 3-0 Bodo/Glimt 06/10/22
Arsenal 3-2 Liverpool 09/10/22
Arsenal 1-0 PSV 20/10/22
Arsenal 5-0 Nottingham Forest 30/10/22
Arsenal 1-0 Zurich 03/11/22
Arsenal latest away form
Arsenal have recently been on a relatively good run of form on the road, having lost just one of their seven most recent matches. They managed to defeat Chelsea 1-0 in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored four goals and conceded three.
Bodo/Glimt 0-1 Arsenal 13/10/22
Leeds United 0-1 Arsenal 16/10/22
Southampton 1-1 Arsenal 23/10/22
PSV 2-0 Arsenal 27/10/22
Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal 06/11/22
Brighton & Hove Albion latest home form
Brighton have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, having lost just one of their seven most recent matches. They managed to defeat Chelsea 4-1 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored 10 goals and conceded four.
Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0 Leeds United 27/08/22
Brighton & Hove Albion 5-2 Leicester City 04/09/22
Brighton & Hove Albion 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur 08/10/22
Brighton & Hove Albion 0-0 Nottingham Forest 18/10/22
Brighton & Hove Albion 4-1 Chelsea 29/10/22
Brighton & Hove Albion latest away form
Brighton managed to defeat Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-2 in their last away game in the league. However, they have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having been winless in their previous four games. In their last five matches, they have scored eight goals and conceded 12.
Fulham 2-1 Brighton & Hove Albion 30/08/22
Liverpool 3-3 Brighton & Hove Albion 01/10/22
Brentford 2-0 Brighton & Hove Albion 14/10/22
Manchester City 3-1 Brighton & Hove Albion 22/10/22
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-3 Brighton & Hove Albion 05/11/22
Arsenal news
Apart from long-term groin absentee Emile Smith Rowe, Arsenal’s only other current injury concern is Takehiro Tomiyasu, who came off with a muscular problem against FC Zurich.
Tomiyasu’s absence should allow Cedric Soares to make his first start of the season at right-back, while Matt Turner should replace Aaron Ramsdale in goal.
Brighton & Hove Albion news
Jakub Moder is the only injury concern for Brighton at the moment, as they midfielder remains on the long road to recovery from his knee injury.
Changes are expected from the visitors, with Billy Gilmour, Tariq Lamptey and Jason Steele hoping to earn opportunities to impress, and former Arsenal striker could also earn a start.
Prediction and Odds
The Gunners’ reserve players have not been able to dominate teams in the same way that Arsenal’s main men have this season.
Brighton could choose to name a relatively strong XI who know that the pressure is firmly off in North London, but their defensive frailties on the road could lead to a home win.
Odds: 1 1.88 X 2.05 2 2.98
Probable outcomes
Arsenal 1-0 Brighton & Hove Albion
Arsenal 2-0 Brighton & Hove Albion
Arsenal 2-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
Arsenal 3-0 Brighton & Hove Albion
Arsenal 3-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
