One of those games was the controversial fixture which saw Declan Rice sent off but across both games, Brighton generated more xG overall (3.28) than Arsenal did (3.02). With quite a few of his squad returning from injury, coupled with a full week's worth of rest in a busy December, Brighton ought to be the fresher side.

People are saying that Arsenal are wobbling but I think they have had their wobble, really, when they scraped past Wolves. The Gunners won 1-0 at Everton last time out, and it was a bit of a battle, but they were up against a David Moyes side so I didn't expect anything else.

Arsenal come into this game on the back of a nervy 2-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion, which saw them retain their two-point lead over City at the top of the table. Villa, meanwhile, needed a brace from substitute Ollie Watkins, to notch up a comeback 2-1 win away to Chelsea, thus extending their winning run to 11 games.

Arsenal also needed an own goal and a spectacular save by keeper David Raya to preserve their lead as the halfway point in the Premier League season looms. The London side have 42 points from 18 games with City on 40.

Isak faces a few months out after breaking his leg at Tottenham last weekend and Arne Slot will look to Hugo Ekitike to continue his good form as the spearhead of the Liverpool frontline. Liverpool have been boosted by the fitness of Florian Wirtz after Slot allayed injury concerns around the German.

Arsenal beat Brighton 2-1 in a hard fought Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium this afternoon. Brighton are not a side that can be taken lightly, as they thrive on causing problems for top teams,