soccer

Brighton & Hove Albion v Arsenal: Key stats and talking points

Title-chasing Arsenal visit a Brighton side showing signs of a return to form. BBC Sport examines some of the key themes before Wednesday's match (19:30 GMT).

Brighton back on track thanks to Welbeck

After a run of one win from 13 league games, Brighton have regained momentum by beating Brentford and Nottingham Forest, meaning Albion have the chance to claim three consecutive victories for the first time this season. If they are to manage that feat, the predatory instincts of Danny Welbeck are again likely to be key.

The evergreen 35-year-old scored his first league goal from open play since November in the 2-0 win against the Bees and was also on target in Sunday's 2-1 triumph versus Forest. That took the Englishman's tally to 10 Premier League goals this season, equalling the career-best figure he set last term.

Welbeck has consistently proved a thorn in the side of former club Manchester United, scoring eight times in all competitions since leaving his hometown team in 2014. But it has been a different story when reunited with Arsenal, where he spent the next five seasons.

He has managed only one Premier League goal against the Gunners since departing in 2019, with that strike coming in a 3-2 defeat at the Emirates during his single season with Watford. The veteran has not netted a league goal against the north London side since joining Brighton in 2020.

[BBC]

Corner turned - set-pieces giving Arsenal the edge

Arsenal restored their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League with Sunday's 2-1 win against Chelsea in a game where all three goals came from corners. That took the total number of goals scored from corners in the top flight this season to 138 – already three more than last term's final figure.

For better or worse, set-pieces have never been as important to success in English football and Mikel Arteta's side are setting the standard right now. The Gunners have already scored 16 times from corners in 2025-26, equalling the Premier League record for a single season, and have 19 goals in total from dead-ball deliveries (excluding penalties).

Arteta's side are clearly not one-trick ponies and have netted more goals from open play since Christmas than any other team. However, set-pieces remain invaluable in how they manage games.

Arsenal have taken a 1-0 lead in 20 Premier League matches this season, with the opener coming from a set-piece or penalty in 13 of those. Once in front, it becomes easier for the Londoners to find space and eventually pick off rivals who commit men forward in search of an equaliser.

Opponents Brighton have been one of the top-flight's better sides when it comes to defending corners this term, conceding only five such goals – although that includes one in their 2-1 defeat at the Emirates on 27 December.

Stat on how goals are scored
[BBC]

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