But there is no scope for his Arsenal side to drop points when the Seagulls go to the Emirates.
William Saliba is once again missing from the Gunners’ back line with a back injury which has ruled him out in recent weeks, while left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko (calf) is also absent.
Midfielder Mohamed Elneny and defender Takehiro Tomiyasu are out for the rest of the season with knee injuries.
Arsenal boss
Mikel Arteta said: “The way Brighton play under manager Roberto de Zerbi is remarkable. It is just a joy to watching them play. What they have brought to the league is a different idea, a different way of playing and a different challenge to manage against. What the manager has done with the team is incredible, so it will be a very tough match. They pose an extremely tricky challenge, with the way they play, so we will have to handle the things they do, but it will be the same for them, managing the way we do it. They have been ahead of other clubs in the way they have made decisions, the way they have developed players and recruited talent. It’s been really impressive, I think they have done extremely well.”
Arteta was being quizzed about contractual matters in the run-up to the weekend.
Mikel Arteta said: “Obviously where we are with each individual is probably different in terms of timing but the clarity is there. We have communicated to each of them what the intentions are and we are trying to get that done as quickly as possible but respecting and not losing any focus on what is the real deal right now. The moment there is anything to announce with any individual, we will do that as a club like we always do. It’s not the moment to talk about that.”
