please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Arsenal travel to the AMEX stadium this Saturday afternoon to take on Brighton and Hove Albion in the fourth round of the FA Cup. The Gunners will go into this game on the back of a brilliant win in midweek over West Ham in the Premier League. West Ham took a shock lead through Jack Collison but Lukas Podolski levelled the scores shortly after with a fierce shot with his left foot. The score remained 1-1 for the rest of the first half and the Gunners knew that they had to be more clinical in the final third if they were to get all three points. Olivier Giroud put Arsenal into the lead shortly after the break and from that moment on, Arsenal proceeded to blitz West Ham.Theo Walcott got his tenth goal of season to put Arsenal further ahead, then goals from Santi Cazorla and another from Olivier Giroud sealed the rout. It was vital that Arsenal won their game in hand, and the performance would have given them great confidence as they head to Brighton for another crucial game. Brighton also had a league game in midweek as they took on Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park. Blackburn were on course for the three points after Jordan Rhodes put them into the lead, but a very late goal from David Lopez meant that Brighton were able to salvage a point. It also meant that Brighton kept their five game unbeaten run going. Arsenal last played Brighton in 1988, and that game came in the fourth round of the FA Cup as well. That game was played at the Goldstone Ground and the Gunners edged Brighton in a 2-1 win. So, it’s been 25 years since the two teams last played, and a lot has changed since then. Both teams have moved grounds, so on Saturday Arsenal will make their first trip to the Falmer Stadium also known as the AMEX. Brighton caused one of the biggest upsets in the third of the FA Cup when they knocked out Newcastle United, while Arsenal needed two games to overcome Swansea City. Under the management of Gus Poyet, Brighton have made great progress. He was appointed manager of the club in 2009 and at the time, Brighton were struggling to stay in League one. But, he kept them up and then in 2010/11 season, he oversaw their promotion campaign from League 1 to the Championship. Also under his management, Brighton have learnt to play football the way it’s supposed to be played and Brighton are now known for their passing game in the championship. They are currently four points off the promotion places in the Championship, but a gap like that can be made up in no time in that League. So the Seagulls have real hopes of possibly getting to the Premier League via the playoffs. And that will be their main priority, but the FA Cup is also a nice distraction for them. Craig Mackail-Smith is Brighton’s record signing and he poses the biggest goal scoring threat to Arsenal on Saturday. Smith has eleven league goals to his name in the championship. Arsenal fans will recognise the likes of Wayne Bridge and Tomasz Kuszczak, who are key figures for Brighton in defence. Winger Will Buckley is also one of Brighton’s key players, a talented 23 year old who has caught the eye in the Championship and has attracted interest from premier league clubs. Brighton after knocking out Newcastle, will fancy their chances of knocking out a second premier league team. Arsenal have already been dumped out of a cup competition by a team outside the Premier League this season, and they know that the FA Cup is their only real shot at a trophy this season, so the pressure is going to be on their shoulders. Arsene Wenger has to decide between potentially resting some of his key players and also being able to put out a team that can beat Brighton. Wenger would be tempted to potentially rotate, as the games are coming thick and fast. The Gunners have already played six games this month and have another two to play. The likes of Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla have played in all six games this month. Thomas Vermaelen picked up a knock in the win over West Ham and had to be taken off in the second half; Arsene Wenger has already ruled him out for the trip to Brighton. Francis Coquelin after tearing his hamstring against Chelsea has also been ruled out. Aaron Ramsey got a rare start against West Ham, and the Welshmen took his chance and impressed. Ramsey looked a lot more confident on the ball and worked as hard off it as ever. He is expected to get another start, also the likes of Carl Jenikson and Alex Oxlade Chamberlain could also feature. Arsene Wenger this season has placed a lot more importance on the cup competitions by playing stronger teams, so he has shown he has shown that he means business. It’s been eight years since Arsenal last won a trophy, and with the doom and gloom surrounding the club at the moment, a cup final would be just the boost the fans need. Brighton are not going to push overs and they like Arsenal, play good football, so we should be in for a fine game if both teams play at their best. Team News: Arsene Wenger: Three Key Match-ups: please log in to view this image Craig Mackail Smith please log in to view this image Wayne Bridge please log in to view this image Gordon Greer Overall Record vs Brighton & Hove Albion: Played: 13 Wins: 9 Draws: 2 Losses: 2 For: 24 Against: 5 GD: 19 Last 6 Meetings: Brighton & Hove Albion 1 - 2 Arsenal (FA Cup) Arsenal 3 - 1 Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton & Hove Albion 0 - 1 Arsenal Brighton & Hove Albion 1 - 2 Arsenal Arsenal 0 - 0 Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton & Hove Albion 0 - 1 Arsenal [video=youtube;dnjaxmMdMek]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnjaxmMdMek[/video] Manager's Views: Arsene Wenger on the return of Thomas Rosicky: My Team: please log in to view this image Final Score: please log in to view this image
Still hoping to get a ticket for this game My cousins are massive Brighton fans, so we'll meet up for a pint before the game, but I'm hoping they'll be drowning their sorrows after the match. SJW you realise if we get through this will postpone our game against Everton, so you'll have to buy me that pint at the next game
Poyet has done really well with Brighton and they've got a decent outfit down there now. They beat Newcastle in the last round, so this is not going to be an easy game.
They did, but Newcastle played an incredibly **** team and most of those looked like they could not even be bothered. No matter who Wenger picks, we have turn up with the right attitude first. That's where Newcastle failed.
I'm hoping that our games against City and Chelsea have taught us that we can never turn up with that half hearted attitude ever again
I'd start Ramsey and Diaby together in the middle, with Rosicky in Cazorla's place if he's fit. Up front I'd go with Theo Pod and OXO. I'd go with same back 4. Have Cazorla Wilshere and Giroud on bench if we need to bring them on lest things aren't going good.
Actually going to the game might be one of the only way Arsenal fans can see this game. Not on TV for some reason, and might not be easy to find streams for this. Can't believe the ****s at ITV are showing Man Utd vs Fulham, instead of this.
It's on tv here, on al-jazeera sports. Who needs tv anyways in the age of internet streaming, on tv you get the better quality though.
Or, they show Man Utd games no matter who they play. Nobody apart from Man Utd and Fulham fans want to see that tedious game. Man Utd will stroll home in that game.
Joking apart matey,i've heard **** all about tickets for the game.My last hope is that a bus is going to Brighton and i'll get a pick up time tomorrow.It looks like this one is going to the wire.
