Quotes

'They are a team with a lot of personality'

As the race for the top four grows more intense by the day, our next challenge is at home to Brighton, who have been struggling for points and goals in recent weeks.

The Seagulls ended a six-game losing streak with a goalless draw at home to Norwich last weekend, and Graham Potter’s side have also found goals hard to find, netting just once in the last seven games.

But after drawing at the Amex earlier in the season, Mikel Arteta is wary of the challenge Brighton can pose on Saturday.

“They're a team with a lot of personality,” Arteta said during his pre-match press conference. “A coach that is very willing to play, that is very aggressive in the way they press, that wants to dominate the game and they have good players to do that but they are very difficult to beat.

“They don't concede a lot of chances and opportunities in open play and also set pieces and they're a threat.”

Asked whether he was expecting a high-scoring game on Saturday, the boss replied that he wants his side to be more ruthless in front of goal, having scored just once in our past three matches.

“You never know in football,” he said.

“Let’s see what happens, but obviously, we’re going to try score more goals and we’re certainly creating the chances to do so.

“But we have struggled in recent matches to put the ball in the net and we need to be more efficient in the opponent’s box and tomorrow it’s something we have to do because Brighton is a team that doesn’t concede much.”