Brighton boss Hughton wary of Arsenal's offensive threat

Brighton & Hove Albion manager Chris Hughton is wary of Arsenal's attacking threat when they travel to the Amex on Boxing Day.
Chris Hughton. Picture by PW Sporting PhotographyChris Hughton. Picture by PW Sporting Photography
Chris Hughton. Picture by PW Sporting Photography

Gunners striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the top scorer in the Premier League this season and Arsenal have netted 40 times in 18 league matches under Unai Emery.

Arsene Wenger left Arsenal after 22 years in the summer and Hughton believes Albion will face a different Gunners to the one which lost 2-1 at Brighton in March.

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He said: "It will be different because of their way of playing and they've got a very good coach, a good manager that I think has done an excellent job.

"Whoever was going to take over, it was never going to be an easy job because you had a manager who had been there for that period of time.

"At the moment he's having to work around some injury problems as well but I think he's done really well when you consider that up until relatively recently they had gone unbeaten. For a new manager going into a club, I think that's outstanding."

On Aubameyang and Arsenal's attacking options, Hughton said: "One thing that hasn't changed about Arsenal is they can score goals. They've got plenty of goalscorers and offensively they are a very good team.

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"They play in a style that gives them good possession but that what it's about. If you are a defensive player, although you're very conscious it's going to be a very difficult day for you, you want to play against the best players."

As for Emery and his start to life as Gunners manager, Hughton said: "I've been very impressed. I always knew he was a top manager and coach because of the work he has done before but it's not easy to go into a club where Arsene (Wenger) had done such a remarkable job for so many years.

"He determined which way he wanted to play and with a different way of playing, sometimes it can be successful and sometimes not.

"But I think he's done outstanding."

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