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Arsenal vs Brighton: Gunners Aim to Keep Momentum Despite Injury Woes

Arsenal face Brighton at the Emirates on Tuesday night in the Carabao Cup fourth round, and it’s coming at a tricky time for Mikel Arteta’s side. The Gunners are unbeaten in ten matches and flying high in the Premier League, but the squad’s looking thinner than he’d like right now.

Their recent 1–0 win over Crystal Palace, which Softfootball described as a grind that champions find a way to win, summed up their character this season. Arsenal looked composed, even with several key absentees. Brighton, though, come into this tie licking their wounds after a 4–2 defeat at Old Trafford in a night where Softfootball highlighted Bruno Fernandes’ class in his 300th United appearance.

Manchester United vs Brighton (Photo Credit: Brighton via X)
Manchester United vs Brighton (Photo Credit: Brighton via X)

Team News

Arsenal’s injury list keeps growing. Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, and Gabriel Jesus are all out with mostly knee or ligament issues, and Jurriën Timber might not make it either. Truth be told, that’s a big blow for Arteta, but he’s managed worse. His team have kept five clean sheets in a row, showing just how organised they have become.

Expect Kepa Arrizabalaga to stay in goal behind Ben White, Christian Mosquera, Piero Hincapie, and 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly. Norgaard will anchor midfield with Eze and Merino. Up front, Ethan Nwaneri, Leandro Trossard, and Viktor Gyökeres should lead the attack.

Viktor Gyrokeres after scoring for Arsenal (Photo Credit : Arsenal X handle)
Viktor Gyrokeres after scoring for Arsenal (Photo Credit : Arsenal X handle)

Brighton aren’t in perfect shape either. Adam Webster, Solly March, and Jack Hinshelwood are long-term absentees, while doubts remain over Kaoru Mitoma, Joel Veltman, and Diego Gómez. Fabian Hurzeler might stick with Simon Adingra, Georginio Rutter, and Danny Welbeck, who’s always up for a big night in North London.

Possible Lineups

Arsenal (4-3-3): Kepa; White, Mosquera, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly; Eze, Norgaard, Merino; Nwaneri, Gyokeres, Trossard.
Brighton (4-2-3-1): Steele; Wieffer, Dunk, Boscagli, De Cuyper; Milner, Ayari; Gomez, Rutter, Minteh; Welbeck.

Piero Hincapie (Photo Credit: Arsenal via X)
Piero Hincapie (Photo Credit: Arsenal via X)

Arsenal, via their official X account, posted Eberechi Eze’s first Premier League goal for Arsenal, a stunning volley against his former club Crystal Palace which marked a significant moment in Arsenal’s 1-0 victory, extending their unbeaten run to seven matches and securing their 700th Premier League win.

Watch the video below:

Ebere Eze's first Premier League goal for The Arsenal: The Director's Cut ✂ pic.twitter.com/ZOJDYclWnZ

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 27, 2025

Softfootball’s Prediction

There’s a sense this could go either way. Brighton have hit some wild form in the cup—those back-to-back 6–0 wins show their depth—but Arsenal at home are a different animal. They have got structure, patience, and that bit of swagger you only get from an unbeaten run.

Prediction: Arsenal 2–1 Brighton.

Bruno Fernandez leads Manchester United to victory over Brighton on his 300th appearance

Bruno Fernandez made his 300th appearance for Manchester United as they defeated in-form Brighton 4-2 in the premier league match-day 9 played at Old Trafford, Softfootball reports.

The Red Devils followed up on their 2-1 away win over Liverpool at Anfield last weekend, making it three consecutive wins in the premier league for the first time under Ruben Amorim’s reign. But most importantly, Manchester United have NEVER lost a Premier League game at Old Trafford when leading at half time with the record standing at 301 wins, 25 draws and zero defeats in 326 games.

Bruno Fernandez. Photo credit: Man United media.
Bruno Fernandez. Photo credit: Man United media.

Manchester United’s official X handle posted this after the encounter.

And the Reds go marching ON, ON, ON! ❤️‍🔥 pic.twitter.com/e6JDwFJvbR

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 25, 2025

Manchester United played some beautiful football in the first half and took a deserved lead through Matheus Cunha after he received the ball from fellow Brazilian, Casemiro on the edge of the box, he masterfully placed a right footed shot into the bottom right corner of the net. It was his first goal for Manchester United since he joined at the summer from Wolves.

Casimiro made it 2-0 with a shot that deflected off Bart Verbruggen and that got the fans inside Old Trafford jumping and the noise increased. The Red Devils didn’t let off in the second half as Benjamin Sesko set up Bryan Mbeumo to score Manchester United’s third goal.

Matheus Cunha with his Man of the Match Award. Photo Credit: Man United Media
Matheus Cunha with his Man of the Match Award. Photo Credit: Man United Media

However, the visitors reduced the deficit through former Manchester United striker, Danny Welbeck as he curled a beautiful freekick past the Manchester United goalkeeper to make it 3-1. And soon, it was 3-2 as 18-year-old Greek forward, Charalampos Kostoulas headed in a corner kick inside the seven minutes injury time.

At the end of the encounter, Manchester United official X handle shared a video of players and coaches enjoying the victory with fans. Watch below.

That. Winning. Feeling.

Get in! ❤️‍🔥 pic.twitter.com/69WD07cW1v

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 25, 2025

With pressure mounting on the Manchester United defense, the 20-time premier league champion found a way. Substitute, Ayden Heaven played a neat pass forward and Mbeumo ran onto it and applied a fierce left foot finish that made it 4-2 with virtually the last kick of the match and gained all three points for the home side.

Manchester United finished the day in fourth position with 16 points after nine matches while Brighton sit 15th with 10 points.

Manchester United Seek Fourth Straight Win as Brighton Visit Old Trafford

Manchester United will look to stretch their winning run to four games when they face Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford on Saturday, October 25, 2025. Rúben Amorim’s men have started to click, and the mood around the club is beginning to change—especially after that stunning 2–1 win over Liverpool at Anfield, as reported by Softfootball. It was United’s first league victory there in a decade and probably the most defining result of Amorim’s early reign.

Manchester United vs Liverpool (Photo Credit: Softfootball Media)
Manchester United vs Liverpool (Photo Credit: Softfootball Media)

The Red Devils have now won three straight Premier League matches for the first time under the Portuguese boss. Confidence is back at Old Trafford, where they have taken three wins on the bounce. Defender Matthijs de Ligt, as reported by Softfootball, said he is hitting his prime years at Manchester United and has quietly become a rock at the back. Amorim’s tactical structure is working — solid, sharp, and focused — but Brighton’s visit won’t be a stroll.

Brighton, led by Fabian Hürzeler, arrive unbeaten in four league games after seeing off Newcastle 2–1. They have got the youngest average starting XI in the league, full of energy and ideas. Still, one clean sheet in twenty matches tells its own story. Oddly, Brighton have dominated this fixture — six wins in the last seven meetings and three straight at Old Trafford. No side has done that since Manchester City in the late ‘60s.

Matthijs de Ligt of Manchester United (Photo Credit: United via X)
Matthijs de Ligt of Manchester United (Photo Credit: United via X)

Team News

Manchester United: Lisandro Martínez is still recovering from an ACL injury but has resumed partial training. Harry Maguire and Mason Mount are being checked for minor issues, while Noussair Mazraoui and Ayden Heaven are available.

Brighton: Adam Webster, Solly March, Jack Hinshelwood, and Brajan Gruda are ruled out. Joel Veltman and Kaoru Mitoma could return after light training, while Diego Gómez remains a doubt.

Bryan Mbeumo celebrates scoring for Manchester United against Liverpool (Photo Credit: Manchester United X handle)
Bryan Mbeumo celebrates scoring for Manchester United against Liverpool (Photo Credit: Manchester United X handle)

Possible Lineups

Manchester United (3-4-2-1): Lammens; De Ligt, Maguire, Shaw; Amad, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dalot; Mbeumo, Cunha; Šeško.

Brighton (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Wieffer, Dunk, Van Hecke, Kadioglu; Baleba, Ayari; Minteh, Rutter, De Cuyper; Welbeck.

Manchester United, via their official X account, announced their Premier League match against Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford following a morale-boosting 2-1 win over Liverpool, which could shift momentum for new manager Ruben Amorim amid fan pressure.

Back home on Saturday 🙌 pic.twitter.com/1bmignVFbd

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 22, 2025

Softfootball’s Prediction

It feels like United are finally finding rhythm under Amorim, but Brighton’s movement and bravery in attack make them tricky to contain. Bryan Mbeumo, who’s been involved in six goals in his last four starts against Brighton, could be decisive again. On the other end, Danny Welbeck, fresh off four goals in three matches, would love to remind his old fans what they once had.

Softfootball tips a 2–1 win for Manchester United, but don’t rule out a draw — Brighton’s record at Old Trafford speaks for itself.

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