---
title: "Player Zone: Brighton’s Lewis Dunk could come in useful at both ends against Arsenal"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/player-zone-brighton-lewis-dunk-premier-league-arsenal/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Liam Togher"
section: "Brighton & Hove Albion"
published: "2020-06-18T15:30:35Z"
modified: "2020-06-18T15:30:35Z"
---

# Player Zone: Brighton’s Lewis Dunk could come in useful at both ends against Arsenal

**Brighton return to Premier League action on Saturday for the [first time in 15 weeks](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/brighton-amp-hove-albion/spielplan/verein/1237) as they welcome Arsenal to the Amex Stadium.**

With his team embroiled in a [frenetic battle against relegation](https://www.skysports.com/premier-league-table), Seagulls manager Graham Potter will no doubt have been paying close attention to the Gunners’ fortunes against Manchester City last night, a match which produced some favourable circumstances for Albion.

When centre-back Pablo Mari was forced off through injury, David Luiz came on in his place and was subsequently sent off, also ruling him out of Saturday’s trip to Falmer (as per [Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/12009284/david-luizs-torrid-cameo-against-manchester-city-raises-questions-over-his-arsenal-future)). The duo join [Callum Chambers and Sokratis](https://www.premierinjuries.com/injury-table.php) among the defenders unavailable to Mikel Arteta for that clash.

By contrast, Potter has a [full defensive unit](https://www.brightonandhoveindependent.co.uk/sport/football/brighton-and-hove-albion/graham-potter-could-spring-brighton-lineup-surprise-arsenal-and-young-duo-may-benefit-2887332) from which to choose, one marshalled by reliable club captain Lewis Dunk – a man who has happy memories of facing the Gunners.

When Arsenal visited Brighton two years ago during the Seagulls’ first Premier League season, the defender [gave them the lead with an early goal](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/43186393) as they prevailed 2-1. The sight of Dunk pouncing from a set piece has become a common one over the years, with [14 of his 18 career goals](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/lewis-dunk/alletore/spieler/148153) coming with his head.

Against a Gunners side deprived of several defensive options and with a [reputation for being culpable at defending set pieces](https://m.allfootballapp.com/news/EPL/Same-old-story-Arsenal-concede-22-PL-goals-for-set-piece-since-last-season/1935835), the 28-year-old may well fancy his chances of taking full advantage to repeat his March 2018 heroics.

Dunk is more than just a threat in the air from attacking set pieces, though. The skipper also consistently perform his defensive duties diligently, winning 2.9 aerial duels per game this season along with averaging 1.2 successful tackles and 1.6 interceptions per match (as per [WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/86441/Show/Lewis-Dunk)).

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Along with being a potential set piece threat, the Brighton centre-back could well be needed to snuff out what Arsenal have to throw at him and his defensive team-mates. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang may have [had a quiet game](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/man-city-arsenal-player-ratings-de-bruyne-sterling-luiz-a9572046.html) at the Etihad Stadium last night but he has still netted [20 goals](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fc-arsenal/leistungsdaten/verein/11) this season, so Dunk and co will need to be on their toes against him. Even if the Gabon striker is stifled, Arteta could also call on the likes of Gabriel Martinelli and Alexandre Lacazette, who have struck [19 goals between them](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fc-arsenal/leistungsdaten/verein/11) this term.

Brighton haven’t won a Premier League match [so far in 2020](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/brighton-amp-hove-albion/spielplan/verein/1237), although they did [defeat Arsenal](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/brighton-amp-hove-albion/spielplan/verein/1237) in the teams’ previous meeting six months ago. If Dunk can show his best qualities at both ends of the pitch, the Seagulls stand every chance of securing a league double over the Londoners this weekend.

***Brighton fans, can you see Dunk capitalising on Arsenal’s defensive woes on Saturday? Give us your thoughts in the comments section below!***