29 OCTOBER 2025
ARSENAL 2 BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 0
CARABAO CUP, FOURTH ROUND
at the EMIRATES STADIUM, LONDON N5.
Albion's journey in the Carabao Cup continued with a trip to North London and a Fourth Round tie with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, "live" in front of the Sky Sports cameras, the match also being broadcast by Talksport and BBC Radio Sussex Sport.
Albion's progress in the competition had been spectacular, winning 6-0 at Oxford United in the Second Round on the 27 August and winning 6-0 at Barnsley in the Third Round on the 23 September.
Arsenal had won 2-0 at Port Vale in the Third Round on the 24 September.
As usual, in the early stages of the competition both teams made substantial changes to their starting line-ups from their previous games. Albion who had lost 2-4 at Manchester United in the Premier on the 25 October made six changes to their starting line-up from that game.
In their previous outing, Arsenal had beaten Crystal Palace 1-0 in the Premier on the 26 October and for Albion's visit Manager Mikel Arteta made ten changes to his starting line-up from that game. Former Albion defender Ben White was named in Arsenal's starting eleven whilst Leandro Trossard was named on the Gunners substitutes bench.
The Albion dominated the early stages of this one and created two golden opportunities in the first ten minutes. First, Georginio Rutter's angled shot from close-in was parried away by Arsenal keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and minutes later Rutter sent Stefanos Tzimas clear but from ten yards out the young Greek striker fluffed his lines and shot wide of the target. As the Seagulls continued to dominate, Arrizabalaga kept out efforts from Diego Gomez and Rutter.
Albion could have been four up at this point and out of sight. There was still time before the break for the Seagulls to miss yet another chance as Jan Paul Van Hecke sent a header wide from a Maxim De Cuyper corner. Albion had played well first-half but had nothing to show for their endeavours.
Half-time 0-0.
First action of the second-half saw Arrizabalaga make a fine save in deflecting away De Cuyper's rasping drive. Jason Steele in the Brighton goal then saved Ethan Nwaneri's low shot but on 57 minutes the home side took the lead when a fine run by Myles Lewis-Skelly ended with a pass to Nwaneri whose well-struck low shot ended up in the net for Arsenal's opener. 0-1.
Arsenal were now in the ascendancy and keeper Steele was called upon to keep out Mikel Merino's close-range header. Arsenal increased their lead on 76 minutes when debutant Andre Harriman-Annous's shot was parried by Steele but substitute Bukayo Saka was on hand to slot home the rebound. 0-2.
Leandro Trossard, who had replaced Eberechi Eze on 83 minutes was unlucky to see his well-struck shot hit the base of the post and back into play.
Final-score 0-2.
Match stats:
Albion had 18 attempts at goal, with 6 on target and won 2 corners, free-kicks conceded - 14.
Arsenal had 16 attempts at goal, with 5 on target and won 8 corners, free-kicks conceded - 9.
VERDICT - Oh Albion - those missed first-half chances. The Seagulls should have been home and dry by half-time. In the end, Arsenal's finishing ability saw them through and a home tie with Crystal Palace in the Quarter-Finals.
Albion line-up (5-4-1):- Jason STEELE (Capt); Ferdi KADIOGLU, Diego COPPOLA (Danny WELBECK 78), Jan Paul VAN HECKE, Olivier BOSCAGLI, Maxim DE CUYPER (Mats WIEFFER 67); Georginio RUTTER (Yankuba MINTEH 67), Carlos BALEBA, Diego GOMEZ (Tommy WATSON 68), Charalampos KOSTOULAS (Yasin AYARI 46); Stefanos TZIMAS.
Subs not used: Nils RAMMING (G/K), Lewis DUNK, Joe KNIGHT, Freddie SIMMONDS.
Arsenal line-up (4-3-3):- Kepa ARRIZABALAGA; Ben WHITE (Jurrien TIMBER 70), Cristhian MOSQUERA, Piero HINCAPIE (Gabriel MAGALHAES 70), Myles LEWIS-SKELLY; Ethan NWANERI, Christian NORGAARD, Mikel MERINO (Capt); Max DOWMAN (Bukayo SAKA 71), Andre HARRIMAN-ANNOUS (Declan RICE 77), Eberechi EZE (Leandro TROSSARD 83).
Subs not used: David RAYA (G/K), Riccardo CALAFIORI, Martin ZUBIMENDI, Viktor GYOKERES.
Referee: Samuel Barrott (Yorkshire). Fourth Official: James Linington.
Yellow Cards: Albion: 2 - Diego Coppola, Olivier Boscagli.
Possession: Albion - 50%. Arsenal - 50%.
BBC Sport Player of the Match: Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal).
Attendance: 59292.
NEXT GAME:
1 NOVEMBER 2025 - LEEDS UNITED - HOME - PREMIER LEAGUE -
KICK-OFF 15.00.
Jack Kaye.
31 October 2025.