Sussex

Millie Sian
BBC Sport journalist

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Leeds United at Amex Stadium (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• There are no fresh injury concerns following the midweek Carabao Cup fixture, so "the squad will be the same". A few players have "small issues" and might not be available, but he didn't name those affected.

• Kaoru Mitoma is "back on the pitch and training" after recovering from an ankle injury. It is possible that the winger could be back in action before the next international break.

• When asked if 19-year-old Tom Watson could be in line for a first Premier League start in Mitoma's absence, Hurzeler replied: "It's definitely an option."

• Brighton will need to "do the basics right" in order to get a result against their opponents. He added: "We have to commit to each other. We cannot be lazy. We have to be very clear in our positioning and good with our passing. We accept that it will be a fight, but I'm sure we'll have the quality to outplay them."

• Former Leeds United player Georginio Rutter could be the "gamechanger" on Saturday afternoon because of his "behaviour, attitude and positivity". Hurzeler highlighted that the forward has already been a "big win" for Brighton.

Hear more from Hurzeler on Rutter on BBC Sounds

• He praised Daniel Farke for doing a "really good and really impressive" job at Elland Road: "They have a clear style of play, they are very disciplined, and they don't give away a lot of chances. They are a hardworking team and they try to be there for each other. It will be a big challenge for us."

• On whether he expected Leeds United to be doing as well as they are this season, he said: "For me, it's not a surprise. If you saw them playing in the Championship last season, they were already impressive." It furthers his belief that the Premier League is getting "more competitive and equal" after the past few seasons.

• Brighton are "100 percent still in this season", after taking 12 points from their first nine league games, but he does recognise their results "could've been better".

• Hurzeler added: "I'm 100% convinced that we have the right characters, right personalities and right qualities in our group to get the results we want long-term."

• When asked if he believes Danny Welbeck - last capped in 2018 - should receive an England call-up, he replied: "I'm very convinced with my players and I have a big belief that he is able to play for England. I asked the squad if they think he can play for England and they all agreed, so let's see what happens."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Hear more from Hurzeler on the Leeds game on BBC Sounds

This - it seems - is the season of the set piece.

The Premier League debates are more about dead balls than ever before, with some sides enjoying immense success from corner kicks, throw ins or well-worked free-kicks.

What fine timing then for BBC Sport to launch a column with former manager Tony Pulis, a man who seemed to finely extract the fine margins from the game.

You can take in Tony's column on set pieces here

Image source, Getty Images

Substitutes have scored 16 Premier League goals for Brighton in 2025 - only Brighton themselves in 2023 (20) have ever had more goals scored by subs in a calendar year (excluding own goals).

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Wednesday's Carabao Cup game between Arsenal and Brighton.

Here are some of your replies:

Arsenal fans

Banda: Arsenal's young players stepped up impressively while Brighton seemed to run out of ideas in the final third. It wasn't the flashiest performance, but it was professional, efficient and mature. It's the kind of win that shows Arsenal's growth and their hunger for silverware this season.

Peter: It was interesting to see Arsenal's young blood. They really have a team for the future!

Alan: Max Dowman is an unbelievable talent. Yet another clean sheet.

Donpapi: At this rate, Arsenal should be able to field a full team of academy players in the near future. Arteta is doing a great job and will save the club a lot of money in the future. Long may it continue.

Irfan: It seems like this Arsenal side, regardless of who plays, cannot do anything wrong. I really hope they continue doing the same throughout the whole season and end it on a high note as well. From the looks of it, aiming for a Treble is not too unrealistic.

Brighton fans

Fran: We started off well and should've scored a couple of goals before half-time but, as is so often the case, we just didn't take our chances. Arsenal stepped it up in the second half and were the better side. We didn't really look like troubling them.

Jake: Very encouraging, particularly after the Manchester United performance at the weekend. Hurzeler has come in for some criticism, but he had the team playing well and creating clear chances. It does sadly expose the limitations of the Brighton model and, if we are to properly compete, we need to recruit proven over potential in the final third.

Graham: I'm afraid that we create chances but we just can't finish. 2-0 at half-time wouldn't have been unrealistic in my view. It's good to see Baleba playing well, which is a bonus I guess. Bring on Leeds.

Kevin: Poor finishing again. You have to give fringe players a game in the cups, otherwise they don't get game time. We move on to big game against Leeds.

Image source, PA Media

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler, speaking to BBC Radio Sussex after a 2-0 loss at Arsenal in the Carabao Cup:

"I think we had enough chances to win the game. We defended quite well until we conceded the goal.

"In the end, we don't get anything for a performance - we have to make sure we get the result, especially in a cup game.

"It's a do-or-die game, we weren't able to score and unfortunately that's why we're out."

• Hear the full interview on BBC Sounds

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Arsenal's performance

What did you make of Brighton's display?

Come back on Thursday for a selection of your replies

It is a big night for Max Dowman, who becomes Arsenal's youngest ever starter at 15 years and 302 days old.

Mikel Arteta has made 10 changes for the match with Brighton, with only Eberechi Eze keeping his starting place.

Brighton also name a much-changed line-up, with Diego Gomez - the competition's leading scorer so far - among those brought into the team.

Ex-Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck is on the bench for the Seagulls.

There are five Carabao Cup games on Wednesday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

Kick-off times 19:45 GMT unless stated

• Arsenal v Brighton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Liverpool v Crystal Palace - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Swansea v Manchester City - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3

• Wolves v Chelsea

• Newcastle v Tottenham (20:00) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's Radio 5 Live commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Arsenal v Brighton" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Liverpool v Crystal Palace", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to football on BBC Sounds