16 December 2023 , 22:30
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Brighton can stun Arsenal again at the Emirates - if they embody the spirit displayed against Marseille.
That's according to proud Albion skipper Lewis Dunk, who wants the Seagulls to build upon their incredible Europa League heroics in north London.
"If we play like we did against Marseille, we'll have a good chance of winning," Dunk said. "We know we're going to go there and it's going to be a tough game - they're a top, top side with top players but if we play like we did, we're in with a good chance."
Dunk was part of the Brighton side that thumped Arsenal 3-0 away from home in May - wrecking their Premier League title bid. But the England international centre-back concedes Brighton aren't as strong as they were back then - even if they now boast the title of Europa League group winners.
When asked if Brighton are now a superior outfit seven months on, Dunk added: "Yes and no. We've got a lot of injuries at the moment but we've still got a great squad and we're achieving things at the moment. In the league we're struggling for clean sheets and we missed chances where we should have won games but we're still learning and improving and it's another challenge to tackle on Sunday."
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Roberto De Zerbi was more conclusive with his assessment as he believes his Brighton team have really suffered after losing three dependable stars in the summer transfer window. The Italian, who noted that Arsenal are stronger than last season, says his side are slightly weaker, stating: "We're not [stronger] yet because my team lost three important players in Levi Colwill, Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo. Crucial players, in fact.
"I think if we follow the plan to work hard like we are working now, winning games like Marseille then we can become better. But at the moment not yet. In terms of our first XI, we are not better than we were last season."
Incredibly, Brighton are yet to keep a clean sheet in the Premier League this term despite four successive defensive shutouts in Europe. Dunk claims that while there is evidently room for improvement, Brighton's European exploits have given them a whole new level of belief within their dressing room ahead of their showdown with the Gunners.
Joao Pedro struck the winner as Brighton beat Marseille 1-0 at the Amex in the Europa League to secure top spot in Group B on Thursday (PA Wire)He added: "Thursday showed how much we've grown as a team. I think back to Marseille away, 20 minutes in and I'm not going to lie, we were like a deer in the headlights. We were 2-0 down and if you were to say to me at that moment that we'd top the group, I'd have laughed in your face.
"It shows the character we've got within this group and how much we want to learn and improve each game and each day. That's the next step, a step we need to make sure that we take if we are to be up there challenging in the right places come the end of the season."