Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler says it is not possible to defend one-on-one on set pieces against Arsenal ahead of their midweek clash.Â
The two clubs face off in the fourth round of the League Cup at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night with kickoff scheduled for 7.45pm BST.
The Gunners are flying high at the moment, sitting at the top of the Premier League table and behind leaders PSG in the Champions League standings on goal difference. They boast the best defensive record in the English top-flight, having conceding only three goals in nine matches.
“They are doing well, very good out of possession and good with set pieces so I think these are two main factors that make them so successful,” Hurzeler said in his pre-match press conference.
“Very disciplined. Everyone attacks and defends the box, they are very effective with set pieces so it will be a big challenge for us tomorrow.”
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Arsenal have been extremely effective from dead ball situations. They currently lead the Premier League in goals (9) from set pieces, with just five of their 16 goals coming from open play and the other two from the penalty spot.
Gabriel was yet again involved in their latest goal from a set play, knocking down Declan Rice’s cross into the box for Eberechi Eze to score the winner against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
“You can’t defend one against one,” Hurzeler said. “It is also not just Gabriel, they do it very well together and have really good patterns.
“On the other side, we are quite good in defending and also try to build a set-piece culture but that doesn’t come overnight and it needs time.
“It’s getting more important in the Premier League. We are quite confident that we are capable of defending against them.”
James Milner will be unavailable for the trip to Arsenal due to a “small muscle issue”. Kaoru Mitoma, Joel Veltman and Brajan Gruda “are getting closer” to a return but this game comes too soon for the injured Brighton trio.
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