Brighton v Arsenal (Preview, Match Facts & Stats)

The FA Cup looks Arsenal’s most realistic chance of silverware this season but if we are to progress in the competition, we must overcome a potentially tricky test against Championship opposition in the last 32. Arsenal will no doubt want to avoid another upset after their shock exit at the hands of Bradford in the Carling Cup earlier in the season. 

Gus Poyet’s Brighton side are challenging for a place in the second tier play-offs and confirmed their threat in the previous round when they knocked out Premier League strugglers Newcastle.

Arsenal head into the tie on the back of a 5-1 demolition of West Ham on Wednesday which helped lift spirits after the disappointing 2-1 defeat at Chelsea.

The win included two goals for France striker Olivier Giroud who has now scored 11 goals for the club since his pre-season move from Montpellier.

But Giroud insists there is more to come from him in the second half of the season.

“It is good thing to reach this number of goals, but I want to keep going and score more,” he said.

“I know my team-mates very well, so I feel really good in games. I have scored 11 goals and I have nine assists but I know I can do more.”

Meanwhile, Arsenal’s visit will give Brighton the chance to show how far they have come since their 6-1 defeat to Liverpool in the fifth round of the competition last season.

Arsenal Squad (from) : Szczesny, Gibbs, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Sagna, Podolski, Cazorla, Walcott, Ramsey, Wilshere, Giroud, Mannone, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Santos, Arshavin, Jenkinson, Diaby, Rosicky.

HEAD TO HEAD

 Arsenal have had the better of the exchanges with Brighton, winning nine and losing two of the 13 matches between the sides, eight of which were in the top-flight between 1979 and 1983.

The Gunners hold a 100% record over the Seagulls in the FA Cup.

The London side won 2-0 away in the third round in 1935, repeated the result at Highbury in the fourth round in 1980 and were 2-1 fourth round victors in their most recent clash at the Goldstone Ground in 1988.

Newcastle's third round conquerors are looking to claim another Premier League scalp in one of four top-flight against Championship contests in this fourth round, which would give Brighton a place in the fifth round for the third season running.

Twelve months ago, Gus Poyet's side also ended the interest of Newcastle in this fourth round.

The 1983 runners-up have not lost any of the last nine FA Cup matches on their own territory. Mansfield's third round triumph in 2008 is the Seagulls' only loss in their last 13 FA Cup matches in front of the home faithful.

The 10 times winners, seven times runners-up and second most successful club in FA Cup history have only fallen as early as the fourth round in two of the last 12 seasons, and it was top-flight opposition that ejected Arsenal on both occasions.

The north London club, 21 places higher than Brighton, were last eliminated by a non-Premier League club in the third round in January 1996, when Sheffield United of the second tier knocked them out, prior to Arsene Wenger's arrival.

The Gunners, who fell foul of League Two Bradford City in the Capital One Cup, have lost 99 matches in FA Cup history.

BIG MATCH STATS AND FACTS 

This will be only the fourth time the clubs have met in the FA Cup and the third time in the fourth round. Arsenal have won all three previous ties without needing a replay.

Their last meeting came in the fourth round in 1988, with The Gunners claiming a 2-1 victory.

Brighton have won their last two home FA Cup ties against Premier League opposition.

Arsenal are unbeaten in 33 games against lower ranked sides in the FA Cup, not losing since a 0-1 defeat at Sheffield United in 1996.

The Gunners have won none of their last three games on the road, losing one (v Chelsea) and drawing two (v Swansea in the FA Cup and v Southampton).

Brighton and Hove Albion defeated Newcastle United in the third round of the 1983 competition as they did earlier this campaign; they went on to reach the final 30 years ago.

The Gunners have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last seven away FA Cup games, shipping 12 in total in this away run.

Good Luck Arsenal!!!