EPL: Arteta Warns Arsenal Ahead of Brighton Clash

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has warned his players that they will have to earn victory when they face Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League on Saturday.

The Gunners travel to the Amex Stadium aiming to maintain their perfect start to the campaign, having won their opening seven matches in all competitions. Arteta has played down the significance of the run and insisted his team must remain focused on the immediate challenge.

“We’ve got a really tough opponent tomorrow, so we’re going to have to really earn the right to win the game,” Arteta said during his pre-match press conference.

The Arsenal boss said his players have responded positively to a demanding schedule, particularly during a run of away matches. He wants the same dominance whether playing at home or away.

Arsenal have already secured three consecutive away victories against Napoli, Sunderland and Ipswich, with Brighton representing another test of their consistency.

The match could also see Arsenal equal a 123-year-old club record for the best start to a season if they secure an eighth consecutive victory across all competitions.

Arteta refused to look beyond Saturday’s assignment, stressing that Brighton deserve the team’s full attention.

“We just have enough on the plate today to prepare for the game against a really good Brighton tomorrow,” he said.

Brighton will enter the contest with confidence after recovering from two goals down to defeat Manchester United 3-2 in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.

Arteta also said he had put his previous disagreement with Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler behind him. Hurzeler had criticised Arsenal’s tactics after their meeting in March, but later apologised to Arteta by text.

“That’s all done. That’s all in the past. I have huge respect for Fabian and what Brighton have done as a club,” Arteta said.

Several Arsenal defenders, including Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera, Jurrien Timber and Piero Hincapie, were due to be assessed before the match.

With the international break following Saturday’s fixture, Arsenal will hope to finish strongly. Arteta knows Brighton will demand concentration, discipline and another complete performance from his side.