Arsenal travel to the south coast this weekend to face Brighton & Hove Albion, with manager Mikel Arteta wary of a resurgent Seagulls side under the leadership of Roberto de Zerbi.

The Gunners currently sit two points from the top of the Premier League table, and are on a 10-game unbeaten run, but Arteta is keen to avoid complacency against a Brighton team always capable of exceeding expectations.

De Zerbi, appointed in 2022 when Graham Potter left to join Chelsea, has instilled a brand of attractive, possession-based football at the Amex Stadium. Brighton currently sit in the top half of the table, above the Potterless Chelsea, and are unbeaten at home since September. Their recent form, coupled with Arsenal’s potential fatigue from a congested fixture schedule, presents a significant challenge for the league challengers.

“I’m very impressed,” said Arteta in his pre-match press conference, speaking about de Zerbi’s impact on Brighton. “He’s a top manager with a top coaching staff. I think they’re an unbelievable football club, what they have done deserves incredible credit. The way they run the football club, the decisions they have made and how they have established themselves in the league, and now fighting with the top clubs as well, I think they’ve done a magnificent job.”

Arteta highlighted Brighton’s established playing style under de Zerbi, acknowledging the tactical challenge it presents. “I think Roberto has given a very clear style and attractive way of playing football, and they make life very difficult for the opponent,” he said.

Arsenal boasts a league-best record defensively, conceding only 24 goals in 30 Premier League games. However, Brighton’s attacking threat cannot be ignored.

The Gunners’ win against Luton Town in midweek saw heavy squad rotation by Arteta’s standards, showing the strength in depth of Arteta’s squad. However, Bukayo Saka remains a fitness doubt for the Brighton clash due to an injury.

While Arsenal is undoubtedly the team in better form heading into the weekend fixture, Arteta’s cautious optimism underlines the threat posed by a Brighton side under de Zerbi. The Amex could prove to be a stumbling block for the Gunners’ title ambitions, and a captivating tactical battle is on the cards.