The Premier League title race is entering its final sprint as league leaders Arsenal head to the South Coast to face Brighton & Hove Albion on Thursday, March 5, 2026.
Mikel Arteta's men are currently five points clear at the top, fresh from a gritty 2-1 victory over Chelsea. However, they face a Brighton side that has historically been a "bogey team" for the North London giants.

Fabian Hurzeler's Seagulls have enjoyed a resurgence lately, climbing to 11th place after back-to-back wins. The Amex Stadium is expected to be a cauldron of noise as Brighton looks to play the role of "giant-killers" and secure their top-flight status for next season.
Arsenal: The biggest boost for the Gunners is the potential return of captain Martin Odegaard, who missed the Chelsea game with a minor knee knock. However, Declan Rice remains a fitness doubt, meaning Martin Zubimendi will likely continue in the holding role. In-form striker Viktor Gyökeres is expected to lead the line.
Brighton: The Seagulls will be without the veteran James Milner, with Carlos Baleba set to deputize in midfield. Solly March is back in contention for a starting spot after a successful cameo last weekend, while Danny Welbeck remains the primary threat against his former club.
Arsenal: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Rice, Zubimendi, Odegaard; Saka, Gyökeres, Martinelli.
Brighton: Verbruggen; Veltman, Dunk, van Hecke, Estupinan; Baleba, Wieffer; Minteh, Ayari, Mitoma; Welbeck.
Arsenal have dominated the recent history of this fixture, winning the last two encounters. However, the overall record is surprisingly close.
Arsenal Form: W-D-D-W-W (1st Place - 64 pts)
Brighton Form: D-L-L-W-W (11th Place - 37 pts)
H2H Last 10: Arsenal 5 wins, Brighton 3 wins, 2 Draws.
While Brighton's home form is formidable, Arsenal's clinical edge under pressure has been the hallmark of their 2025-26 campaign. The return of Odegaard should provide the creativity needed to break down Brighton's high line. Expect a high-scoring affair with the Gunners narrowly coming out on top.
Final Score Prediction: Brighton 1-2 Arsenal