Good afternoon and welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of the Premier League clash between Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal.
Brighton have lost each of their last three in the Premier League to drop down to 13th position in the table.
Arsenal, meanwhile, sit fifth, level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea following their 11th Premier League win of the season last weekend.
Follow our live minute-by-minute commentary of the action below.
4.16pmGood afternoon and welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of the Premier League clash between Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal. Brighton have lost each of their last three in the Premier League to drop down to 13th position in the table. Arsenal, meanwhile, sit fifth, level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea following their 11th Premier League win of the season last weekend. Stay tuned for live minute-by-minute commentary of the action.
4.18pmBrighton recorded a 2-1 win when the two teams clashed in the corresponding match last season. That was their first and only Premier League win over the Gunners, and the home side will be looking for a repeat tonight. In all, the pair have locked horns on 17 occasions in all competitions, and Brighton have recorded just two wins, losing 12 times in the process.
4.20pmRight, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the Amex. Both managers had injury concerns ahead of the match...
4.22pmTEAMS!
BRIGHTON: Ryan; Montoya, Duffy, Balogun, Bernardo; Stephens, Propper, Gross; March, Murray, Locadia
ARSENAL: Leno; Lichtsteiner, Sokratis, Koscielny, Kolasinac; Xhaka, Guendouzi, Torreira; Ozil, Lacazette, Aubameyang
4.24pmThree changes for Brighton from the team that started against Bournemouth at the weekend, with Shane Duffy, Dale Stephens and Glenn Murray coming into the starting XI. Jurgen Locadia keeps his spot in the final third of the field, while Pascal Gross and Davy Propper also start.
4.26pm
📸 It's Boxing Day and the lads have arrived at the Amex...#BHAFC 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/d8rlfli0VR— Brighton & Hove Albion ⚽️ (@OfficialBHAFC) December 26, 2018
4.28pmAs for Arsenal, Stephan Lichtsteiner and Lucas Torreira both return to the starting XI. Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang both keep their spots in the final third, while Mesut Ozil also keeps his position, with Aaron Ramsey and Alex Iwobi both on the bench.
4.30pmWe are nearing the end of the 3pm kickoffs in the Premier League, and I will bring you the full-time results when the time is right. Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are all winning, but Manchester City are being held at Leicester City with 15 minutes left to play.
4.32pmBrighton will enter the match off the back of three successive Premier League defeats. Hughton's team beat Huddersfield Town and Crystal Palace in back-to-back matches at the start of the month, but have since lost to Burnley, Chelsea and Bournemouth.
4.34pm
💪 A late equaliser from @I_CALDERON_14 meant we shared the spoils with @ReadingFC on this day four years ago!#BHAFC 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/bshECkrsaU— Brighton & Hove Albion ⚽️ (@OfficialBHAFC) December 26, 2018
4.36pmBrighton have a tough festive period when considering that they will host Arsenal and Everton in their next two before travelling to West Ham United at the start of 2019. I will give you an update of their league position once the full-time scores from the 3pm kickoffs are in.
4.38pmAs for Arsenal, Unai Emery's side will enter the match off the back of a 3-1 win over Burnley at the weekend. The Gunners had lost 3-2 at Southampton on December 16 before suffering a 2-2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the semi-finals of the EFL Cup. However, the capital outfit recorded a 3-1 success over Burnley to put another three important points on the board.
4.40pmArsenal have a huge game away at Liverpool on December 29, and it is a big period for the Gunners when considering that Brighton will not exactly be pushovers this afternoon. As mentioned, the Gunners suffered a 2-1 defeat to Brighton in the reserve match last season.
4.42pm
👋 Lucas back in the starting XI #BHAARS pic.twitter.com/IORxmXFGrO
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) December 26, 2018
4.44pmManchester City are now losing at Leicester, which puts Tottenham second as things stand. Huge results pending in the Premier League, but the action in the 3pm kickoffs is not quite finished. Arsenal are still fifth as it stands, level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea, and that will remain the case for the time being as Chelsea are in action later tonight against Watford.
4.46pmStatistic from one of the 3pm kickoffs. It seems that a certain Paul Pogba has woken up since Jose Mourinho left as Manchester United boss. Two wins from two for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer...
4 - Paul Pogba has been involved in four goals in two Premier League games under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (2 goals, 2 assists), the same total he had registered in his last 12 games under Jose Mourinho (1 goal, 3 assists). Upturn. pic.twitter.com/BzQA8KEHZo
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 26, 2018
4.48pmRight, the full-time results are almost in, and there are some big, big results in the Premier League. Arsenal stay fifth and Brighton stay 13th though. A win for Arsenal here moves them above Chelsea into fourth. In fact, even a point moves the Gunners into the top four spots.
4.50pmFULL-TIME RESULTS!
LEICESTER 2-1 MAN CITY, LIVERPOOL 4-0 NEWCASTLE, MAN UNITED 3-1 HUDDERSFIELD
4.52pmFULL-TIME RESULTS!
BURNLEY 1-5 EVERTON, PALACE 0-0 CARDIFF
4.54pmFULL-TIME RESULT!
TOTTENHAM 5-0 BOURNEMOUTH
4.56pmOh my word. Man City have lost again. The champions have dropped down to third as Tottenham have thumped Bournemouth 5-0. Liverpool now have a six-point lead over second-placed Tottenham, while City are seven points off the pace down in third position. Wow.
4.58pm
Focused. Motivated. Ready.#BHAARS pic.twitter.com/BsV3GCoruG
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) December 26, 2018
5pmWe are just about 15 minutes from kickoff at the Amex Stadium. It is a busy day of football, no question about that. Now we can talk about the league table. Arsenal, as mentioned, are in fifth, and a point would be enough to see them move above Chelsea into fourth position.
5.02pmBrighton, meanwhile, sit 13th in the table on 21 points. Hughton's side are only seven points off seventh-placed Leicester, however, which is an indication of how the league table stands.
5.04pm
🗓 Boxing Day, 2000
🆚 Arsenal 6-1 Leicester
🎩 @thierryhenry's first hat-trick
"Thierry was one of the greatest players I've ever seen, and I've seen a few good ones." - Arsène Wenger pic.twitter.com/74MqsFqlYs— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) December 26, 2018
5.06pmThe top six are as expected, but the battle for seventh this season will be interesting. Everton in eighth were big winners this afternoon, while Leicester have had a huge result by beating Man City. The atmosphere is brilliant at the Amex as we approach kickoff here.
5.08pmJust a reminder of the two starting XIs for this afternoon...
BRIGHTON: Ryan; Montoya, Duffy, Balogun, Bernardo; Stephens, Propper, Gross; March, Murray, Locadia
ARSENAL: Leno; Lichtsteiner, Sokratis, Koscielny, Kolasinac; Xhaka, Guendouzi, Torreira; Ozil, Lacazette, Aubameyang
5.10pm
👊 @Arsenal, we're ready! #BHAFC 🔵⚪ pic.twitter.com/Yp4mC9RcmH— Brighton & Hove Albion ⚽️ (@OfficialBHAFC) December 26, 2018
5.12pmHere we go then; both sets of players have joined us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. More festive football, and you can follow live minute-by-minute updates right here on Sports Mole.
0 minKICKOFF: Arsenal kick things off at the Amex...
2 min... it must be said that there is a brilliant atmosphere inside the stadium tonight. As expected, Arsenal are in control of the early possession and have already been building down the left.
3 minSHOT! Pass, pass, pass from Arsenal as they continue to recycle the ball in the early moments. Eventually Lacazette has a shot from distance, but it was very comfortable for Ryan.
5 minBrighton break clear in a wide area with Bernardo delivering towards the far post, but it flies out for a goal kick. Nice open start to this match, with both teams committing players forward.
5 minSAVE! Oh my word. Stunning save from Ryan as the Brighton goalkeeper somehow manages to tip an Aubameyang effort over the crossbar. Brilliant goalkeeping from Ryan!
7 minGOAL! GOAL! BRIGHTON 0-1 ARSENAL (AUBAMEYANG)
8 minArsenal make the breakthrough in the seventh minute as Aubameyang places a wonderful effort into the top corner of the net. The striker was waiting for the ball to drop to him at the far post, and he picked out the top corner to send the Gunners 1-0 ahead at the Amex.
10 minBrighton look like they will carry a threat this afternoon, but Arsenal are very dangerous in the final third of the field, and are already threatening to double their advantage here.
12 minBetter from Brighton in the last couple of minutes as they force a corner following a period of pressure. The ball is delivered into a dangerous area, but Aubameyang manages to clear.
13 minSAVE! Propper sees his long-range shot saved by Leno.
15 minAubameyang now has 13 Premier League goals for the season, which is very, very impressive. The Gunners certainly do not regret taking the forward from Dortmund in January.
17 minGross and Locadia are doing their best to support Murray in the final third, but Arsenal are the team on the front foot, with Lacazette and Aubameyang causing all sorts of problems here.
19 minLichtsteiner pokes the ball towards Aubameyang inside the Brighton box, but Ryan manages to collect. The Gunners are pressing very high up the field at the moment.
21 minSHOT! Gross has a long-range shot deflected wide of the Arsenal goal.
24 minDISALLOWED GOAL! Murray manages to force the ball over the Arsenal line from close range, but referee Anthony Taylor had blown for a foul on Leno, with Murray diving in to challenge the goalkeeper.
26 minGood spell from Brighton at the moment as they continue to force the issue.
28 minSHOT! Montoya misses the crossbar with a strike from outside the box.
30 minLittle over 15 minutes of the first period remaining, and Arsenal still lead 1-0. Brighton are more in the game at the moment though as they continue to exploit the space out wide.
30 minSAVE! Decent save from Leno to keep out a strike from Murray.
31 minSAVE! Wonderful save from Ryan to keep out a strike from Aubameyang, who had broken into a one-on-one shooting position. Stunning stop from the Brighton goalkeeper!
33 minBrighton will do really, really well to keep hold of Ryan on a long-term basis as he is an excellent goalkeeper. Arsenal would have been 2-0 ahead but for his heroics just then.
35 minLittle over 10 minutes of the first period remaining, and it has been a really good game of Premier League football. The next goal is absolutely massive in this one.
35 minGOAL! BRIGHTON 1-1 ARSENAL (LOCADIA)
36 minAll square! Brighton level the scores, and it comes from an Arsenal corner. The home side break clear and Locadia is able to nudge the ball past the onrushing Leno before sliding it home. Terrible defending from Arsenal it must be said. Emery will not be very pleased.
38 minLittle over five minutes of the first period remaining at the Amex.
40 minMarch finds space in a wide position before delivering low into the Arsenal box, but Koscielny makes the clearance. Arsenal do not look secure in a defensive position here.
43 minBernardo manages to clear a corner just under his own crossbar as Arsenal threaten a second before the interval. It would be a terrible time to concede there is no doubt about that.
45 minYou do get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital. Brighton started poorly, but have really grown into this contest. It is delicately poised at the Amex.
45+1 minYELLOW CARD! Montoya (Brighton) is booked for a foul on Guendouzi.
45+3 minHALF TIME: BRIGHTON 1-1 ARSENAL
6.02pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 1-1. Aubameyang sent Arsenal ahead early on with a fine finish, but Brighton levelled through Locadia 10 minutes before the end of the first period. All square at the Amex as it stands.
6.07pmSTATISTICS! Arsenal had 70% of the possession in the first period, while they had six attempts, four of which were on target. Brighton, meanwhile, hit the target with three of their six attempts. Just the one booking to report, with Montoya carded late in the first half.
6.12pmBENCH WATCH! Elneny, Iwobi and Ramsey are among those on the Arsenal bench tonight, but Mkhitaryan is injured. Brighton, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Andone, Kayal and Knockaert. It will be very interesting to see how both managers use their bench at the Amex.
46 minKICKOFF: Brighton resume the action here...
46 min... ARSENAL SUB! Iwobi has replaced Ozil at the break.
48 minPossession football for Arsenal early in the half, which was also the case at the start of the first period. Can the Gunners score a second to retake the lead? Stay tuned to find out.
50 minNot too much to report since the restart, although Arsenal have had all of the possession. Brighton are more than happy to sit in and play on the counter-attack. Lichtsteiner has just lifted a decent cross into the Brighton box, but Duffy was on hand to make the clearance.
51 minSAVE! Leno gets down to keep out a powerful strike from March!
52 minLeno needs a bit of treatment after taking one in the eye from Murray, but the German is fine to continue. The match is livening up as the second period gathers pace here.
53 minCLOSE! Propper heads just wide of the Arsenal post as Brighton threaten again!
55 minNot too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, but Arsenal are having more of the ball during this period. It is delicately poised at the Amex Stadium.
57 minA point would be enough to see Arsenal move into fourth, but there is no question that they will be looking for all three when considering Brighton's struggles in recent weeks.
58 minYELLOW CARD! Murray (Brighton) is booked for a foul on Guendouzi.
59 minCHANCE! Big chance for Brighton as the ball falls kindly for Propper inside the Arsenal box, but the midfielder smashes past the post. Huge moment for the home side there.
61 minMurray's presence is causing Arsenal's back four all sorts of problems at the moment.
63 minLittle under 30 minutes of the second period remaining, and Arsenal have had a lot of the ball in the last few minutes without really threatening to score the third goal of the match.
65 minBrighton are very deep at the moment as Arsenal continue to force the issue.
67 minDuffy rises to meet a deep free kick inside the Arsenal box, but his header was never threatening to trouble the Gunners. Little over 20 minutes remaining at the Amex.
69 minAll Arsenal in terms of possession at the moment, but the away side are not threatening to score a second. Still no movement on the Brighton bench with 69 minutes played.
71 minARSENAL SUB! Koscielny is replaced by Maitland-Niles.
73 minSmart defending from Bernardo to deny Maitland-Niles as Arsenal look to threaten in a wide position. The away side are on the front foot with 73 minutes on the clock.
75 minKolasinac delivers straight out of play as Arsenal look to threaten in the wide positions.
77 minMaitland-Niles sees his low cross cleared as Arsenal threaten in the wide positions.
79 minSmart defending from Duffy as the defender comes across to clear ahead of Aubameyang. The resulting corner is then cleared as Arsenal continue to huff and puff at the Amex.
79 minCHANCE! Huge chance for Brighton as March breaks onto a straight ball over the top, but the attacker lifts the ball over the crossbar! Poor!
80 minBRIGHTON SUB! Andone replaces Murray for the home side.
81 minCLOSE! Locadia just misses the far post with a low strike!
83 minYou do get the feeling that there is a late goal in this match. Brighton have just started to see more of the ball, but Arsenal are coming back as we approach the final five minutes.
85 minCLOSE! Iwobi has a shot deflected just wide of the Brighton goal.
86 minBRIGHTON SUB! Knockaert has replaced Locadia for the home side.
88 minPossession football for Arsenal as we approach the final minute of normal time.
90 minA deep cross is delivered towards March, but the attacker cannot make proper contact.
90+1 minThe fourth official puts three minutes on the board.
90+3 minThat might be it for this one as another Arsenal attack comes to an end. Brighton are going to secure a really good point, while the Gunners are going to be moving into fourth spot.
90+4 minFULL TIME: BRIGHTON 1-1 ARSENAL
7.07pmSo there we have it. Jurgen Locadia cancelled out an early Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang strike as Brighton & Hove Albion came from behind to draw 1-1 with Arsenal in Wednesday's Premier League clash at the Amex Stadium. Arsenal failed to build on their early advantage, but the point is enough to take the Gunners above Chelsea into fourth position in the Premier League table. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. Until next time!
