Live football: Arsenal vs Brighton at 22:00 today, Premier League round 18

Mikel Arteta is still on his journey to win his first Premier League title with Arsenal. Since his appointment at the end of 2019, he has completely transformed the team. The North London club is now considered a leading force in Europe, both in squad strength and playing identity. However, the English championship trophy remains the missing piece. Arsenal enters mid-season at the top of the table. Their 1-0 victory at Everton on December 20 reclaimed the top spot. Viktor Gyokeres coolly converted the decisive penalty, pushing Man City behind. Thus, Arteta’s team morale is very high.

This is the fifth time Arsenal leads the Premier League on Christmas Day. However, the previous four times all ended in disappointment, with Man City closely trailing. Despite many injuries, Arsenal has shown remarkable stability. They have won 12 of 17 matches so far. Especially, Emirates remains an impregnable fortress. Except for a 1-1 draw with Man City in September, Arsenal has won all home games. They have scored 25 goals and conceded only six, making their defensive record among the best in the league.