'I'm sure' - Brighton’s revival gathers pace as academy graduate eyes Arsenal upset

Fresh from an intense, high-energy display, the 20-year-old underlined the new-found belief surging through the squad ahead of facing the league leaders, declaring Brighton will head into the contest with ‘massive confidence’.

Albion have put together back-to-back Premier League wins, beating Brentford and Forest. This equals their return of two victories from the previous 15 matches, in all competitions.

The Seagulls, who were briefly looking over their shoulder, are back up to 11th, and they are closer to fifth-placed Liverpool (11 point gap) than they are to 18th-placed West Ham (12 point gap).

“We know on our day we can beat any team,” Hinshelwood told reporters, ahead of the visit of Arsenal.

“We’re obviously going to have to be on top of our game. But from the last two – even the performances at Liverpool and Villa – I think our performances have turned a corner. We’re playing with a lot more confidence and belief that we can win games.”

Hinshelwood has been deployed in an advanced, high-pressing role in recent matches – a position that demands constant movement and intensity. It is a brief he has embraced.

“I am enjoying it, to be fair,” the academy graduate said, with a smile.

"The gaffer asked us to press and make the game intense. Me and Danny definitely did that first half [against Forest]. We had a few turnovers and a few chances. The one thing I can guarantee every time I step on the pitch is I’m not going to leave anything out there.”

Hinshelwood has enjoyed the added freedom further forward, describing his job as ‘creating some chaos’ – finding pockets of space, forcing mistakes and injecting urgency into Brighton’s attacking play.

Yet even with his attacking remit, Hinshelwood stressed the collective defensive responsibility, particularly against technically gifted opponents such as Forest’s Elliot Anderson.

“If you give quality players like that time on the edge of the box, we know what they can do,” he said. “As much as our work is going forward, we defend together and attack together. It’s all about keeping that unity.”

Asked what has changed in recent weeks following frustrating dropped points, Hinshelwood pointed to experience in the dressing room.

The Premier League appearance record-holder James Milner has been central to that shift, alongside Pascal Gross, providing constant direction and organisational discipline during key moments.

“They’re constantly barking information,” Hinshelwood said. “They’re a massive help in keeping us organised. There’s been times where we’ve deserved three points and not come away with it. To get all three today was massive.”

Milner, in particular, has become a reference point for the teenager.

“He’s probably the best example a young player could wish to have at a club,” Hinshelwood added. “I just watch his habits, how hard he trains, how motivated he still is. If I can have half the career James Milner’s had, I’ll be very lucky.”

The focus now shifts to Arsenal – a side Hinshelwood acknowledges are ‘top of the league for a reason’ and armed with threats across the pitch, not least their renowned set-piece prowess.

“You know when you play Arsenal they possess set-piece quality, but they also have great quality out wide, down the middle – everywhere,” he said. “We know we’re going to have to be on top of our game. I’m sure we will be.”

The mood, Hinshelwood insists, has shifted decisively since the dismal day against Crystal Palace – when there were chants from the home supporters for Fabian Hurzeler to lose his job. The response has been internal and collective.

“We were more disappointed than anyone that day,” Hinshelwood said. “All we can do now is go into every game, leave it all out on the pitch and try to win as many as possible.”

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