Arsenal vs Brighton today: Carabao Cup fourth-round showdown at the Emirates as injuries force rotation

Arsenal vs Brighton takes centre stage in tonight’s Carabao Cup fourth round, with the Premier League leaders balancing a crowded calendar and a growing injury list against a Brighton side that thrives on upsetting rhythms. Kickoff is 3:45 p.m. ET (US/Canada) and 7:45 p.m. GMT (UK) at the Emirates Stadium, where selection calls and game-state control should decide who reaches the quarterfinals.

Arsenal vs Brighton team news and expected approach

Arsenal enter Arsenal vs Brighton without two key starters after recent knocks: William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli are not expected to feature. The staff have signalled that Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, and Riccardo Calafiori are available, but workload management remains a priority across the front line and back four. Expect rotation in goal and at least two switches in defence, with a focus on protecting central zones and avoiding heavy minutes for core attackers.

Brighton travel with a longer injury list than they’d like. Kaoru Mitoma and Solly March remain out, while several defensive options have been in and out of treatment rooms this month. Even so, the visitors’ identity is clear: proactive pressing in phases, bold use of the half-spaces, and quick, vertical combinations through midfield. Danny Welbeck, João Pedro, Pascal Groß, Facundo Buonanotte, and emerging academy options give the Seagulls enough variety to keep Arsenal’s rotated unit honest.

Key tactical questions for Arsenal vs Brighton

• Who wins the midfield traffic? Arsenal’s best control comes when Rice anchors rest defence and releases a high eight to attack cutbacks. Brighton will try to overload the inside channels, dragging markers out of the lane for third-man runs.

• Wide overloads vs recovery pace: Brighton’s pattern is to draw fullbacks narrow, then switch quickly to isolate a winger 1v1. Arsenal can blunt that by pinning the far fullback higher and trusting the near-side centre-back to step out.

• Press triggers and risk: Arsenal’s rotated press can still be lethal if the first line sets the angle onto Brighton’s weaker foot. But a mistimed jump opens transition lanes; Brighton live for those.

• Set pieces as a lever: With injuries altering aerial profiles, both teams will fancy restarts. Brighton’s blockers and near-post curls regularly generate second balls; Arsenal’s outswingers target the penalty spot for late runs.

Predicted shapes and selection levers

• Arsenal (expected 4-3-3/4-2-3-1): Rotation at fullback and centre-back, Rice to start or play limited minutes depending on match state; Saka available for either a bench jolt or a shorter start. A left-sided creator (or inverted winger) can help compensate for Martinelli’s absence by attacking the inside-left pocket for cutbacks.

• Brighton (expected 4-2-3-1): A technical double pivot to bait the press, Groß linking zones, and a mobile No. 9 rotating out to pull markers. If chasing, look for an extra forward and earlier crossing volume from the right.

Bench management could be decisive. Arsenal can swing the tempo with late introductions that re-establish counter-press intensity. Brighton’s counter is to freshen the front line and hunt for turnovers as Arsenal’s rotated legs tire.

Form snapshot and context around Arsenal vs Brighton

Arsenal arrive with strong league momentum and clean-sheet resilience, but they’ve leaned on narrow margins lately and cannot afford a chaotic end-to-end Cup tie with key starters nursing issues. Brighton have mixed results across October yet retain the capacity to spike in 10-minute bursts—especially if they score first. The Cup has also been fertile ground for their young players, who bring fearless pressing and quick decisions around the box.

Kickoff times and essentials

• Fixture: Arsenal vs Brighton, Carabao Cup Fourth Round

• Venue: Emirates Stadium, London

• Kickoff: 3:45 p.m. ET (US/Canada), 7:45 p.m. GMT (UK)

• Format: Single-leg tie; if level after 90 minutes, expect extra time and, if needed, penalties.

Matchups that could tilt Arsenal vs Brighton

• Right side vs Brighton’s left: If Saka features at any stage, his 1v1 gravity opens inside lanes for underlaps and back-post overloads. Brighton must double early or concede the switch.

• Groß between lines vs Arsenal’s No. 6: Deny first reception on the half-turn and Brighton’s tempo drops; allow it and they create cutbacks from the byline.

• Arsenal’s rotated CB pairing vs channel runs: Communication on the first long diagonal is everything; one lost duel invites Brighton’s second-ball shots from zone 14.

Prediction: edge to the hosts, with caveats

On paper, the leaders’ structure and depth carry the slight edge at home. But injuries and rotation introduce variance, and Brighton’s pressing traps can punish any sloppiness in build-up. If Arsenal score first, they can manage the tie with controlled possession; if Brighton strike from a turnover or set piece, this could stretch into a late-night decider.

Lean: Arsenal by one goal in a game where the first transition swing sets the tone.