Brighton 2-4 Arsenal LIVE! Premier League result, match stream, latest reaction and updates today

Brighton vs Arsenal - LIVE!

Arsenal go into 2023 seven points clear at the top of the Premier League after an entertaining 4-2 win over Brighton. The opportunity was there for Mikel Arteta’s side to extend their advantage after Manchester City were held by Everton earlier in the day, and the Gunners did just that against a Seagulls side that have regularly caused them problems in the past.

That always looked on track once Bukayo Saka gave them the lead after 65 seconds, before Martin Odegaard continued his sensational form to score before the break. Eddie Nketiah made it three shortly after half-time to seemingly put the Gunners in cruise control. Kaoru Mitoma gave Brighton brief hope of a comeback though, before Evan Ferguson then did the same after Gabriel Martinelli had restored the three-goal advantage. Arsenal saw out the rest of the match, despite some unexpectedly nervy moments.

It means the Gunners go into the New Year with serious title ambitions, as improbable as that seemed even five months ago. Upcoming fixtures against Newcastle, Tottenham and Manchester United will likely prove to be a crucial run.

Brighton vs Arsenal latest news

• GOAL! Ferguson creates some late nerves

• GOAL! Martinelli restores three-goal lead

• GOAL! Mitoma pulls one back for Brighton

• GOAL! Nketiah puts Arsenal in complete control

• GOAL! Saka with opener after 65 seconds

Brighton & Hove Albion FC 2 - 4 Arsenal FC

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20:08 , Matt Verri

Arsenal go into 2023 seven points clear at the top of the Premier League after an entertaining 4-2 win over Brighton.

The opportunity was there for Mikel Arteta’s side to extend their advantage after Manchester City were held by Everton earlier in the day, and the Gunners did just that against a Seagulls side that have regularly caused them problems in the past.

That always looked on track once Bukayo Saka gave them the lead after 65 seconds, before Martin Odegaard continued his sensational form to score before the break. Eddie Nketiah made it three shortly after half-time to seemingly put the Gunners in cruise control.

Kaoru Mitoma gave Brighton brief hope of a comeback though, before Evan Ferguson then did the same after Gabriel Martinelli had restored the three-goal advantage. Arsenal saw out the rest of the match, despite some unexpectedly nervy moments.

Read the full story here!

19:58 , Matt Verri

That’s now 43 points for Arsenal after 16 matches. Remarkable.

In the Premier League era, only three sides have matched or bettered that - Chelsea (05/06), Liverpool (19/20) and Man City (17/18). All three went on to win the league.

No pressure.

Enjoy Arsenal fans!

19:52 , Matt Verri

Simon Collings at the Amex

19:36 , Matt Verri

A big win for Arsenal, who finish 2022 seven points clear at the top of the Premier League. Some shaky moments defensively in that game, but going forward the attack looked excellent.

Odegaard, in particular, has really stepped up recently.

Player ratings

19:30 , Matt Verri

Martin Odegaard 9 | Star player

What a player. The Norwegian is just on another level right now. Scored with a good strike in the first-half, then played a sublime pass to setup Martinelli for Arsenal’s fourth.

Read our full Arsenal ratings here

FT: Brighton 2-4 Arsenal

19:27 , Matt Verri

Well that was fun!

Arsenal are seven points clear at the top of the Premier League after a really impressive performance, on the whole.

Brighton came on strong in the second-half and threatened a miraculous comeback, but the Gunners just about held firm.

19:24 , Matt Verri

90+4 mins: Gabriel pulling Sarmiento’s shirt in the box, Brighton man stays on his feet.

Comes to Ferguson who gets an effort away at goal, comfortable save for Ramsdale.

19:22 , Matt Verri

90+2 mins: Saliba happy to just head the ball out of play, Brighton still pushing for a way back into this. Really impressive from them.

Four minutes to find two goals.

NO GOAL!

19:20 , Matt Verri

VAR rules it out for offside. Arteta is trying to get his players to stay calm... they’re not listening!

Six minutes added on - Arsenal still lead 4-2.

GOAL! Brighton 3-4 Arsenal | Kaoru Mitoma 89'

19:19 , Matt Verri

BRIGHTON ARE IN THIS!

Mitoma pounce as the ball bobbles up, drives inside and finds the far corner with the help of a slight deflection.

19:17 , Matt Verri

87 mins: Holding on for Odegaard, tells you what you need to know about Arsenal’s mentality right now.

Whatever it takes to see it out, is the name of the game for Arteta. They’re going to have a set-piece to deal with, after Saka brings Mitoma down out wide.

19:16 , Matt Verri

86 mins: Xhaka sends it behind for a corner, defending is looking very panicky from the Gunners.

That’s better, Ramsdale claims it and drops to the ground. He’s in no rush to get things going again.

19:13 , Matt Verri

83 mins: Arsenal struggling to get out, clearance is launched straight up in the air.

Played back to Ramsdale, not a great thump up the pitch from him either. Visitors not looking entirely comfortable.

19:11 , Matt Verri

81 mins: Who knows what we’re going to get in the final ten minutes!

Lamptey is away down the right, great ball in and Ramsdale parries it straight out. Lucky that didn’t fall to a Brighton shirt.

Sarmiento then fires a brilliant cross into the box, evades everyone.

Simon Collings at the Amex

19:08 , Matt Verri

Saliba has looked rusty all game. It shouldn’t be forgotten he played just 27 minutes at the World Cup for France. Feels like he is lacking sharpness.

GOAL! Brighton 2-4 Arsenal | Evan Ferguson 77'

19:07 , Matt Verri

Here we go again!

Long ball forward, terrible from Saliba and Ferguson is in. Just about slides a finish under Ramsdale.

19:05 , Matt Verri

75 mins: With the match surely in the bag, even if we have said that already this afternoon, Arteta makes a change. Partey off, Elneny on.

Arsenal happy to sit off and let Brighton have the ball at the back, sitting in a solid shape.

Simon Collings at the Amex

19:03 , Matt Verri

You could see what that goal meant to Arteta. He ran down the touchline, punching the air. Mourinho would be proud.

GOAL! Brighton 1-4 Arsenal | Gabriel Martinelli 71'

19:01 , Matt Verri

Arsenal back in control!

Stunning pass from Odegaard and Martinelli is clean through on goal. Poked finish finds a way through Sanchez.

19:00 , Matt Verri

70 mins: Arteta more animated now on the touchline too, a bit of anxiety creeping in.

Ball launched over the top, Mitoma briefly looks to be in behind Tomiyasu but Ramsdale is quickly off his line to claim.

Brighton straight back on the attack, Sarmiento plays the ball across the six yard-box. Partey there to clear.

18:58 , Matt Verri

68 mins: Very different feel about things now.

Dunk with a great ball in, Gross has made the run into the box and he’s not tracked. Very close to getting on the end of it as he slides in.

We have a game on all of a sudden!

Simon Collings at the Amex

18:56 , Matt Verri

That’s raised the volume here at the Amex. Suddenly the fans fancy a fightback now. Arsenal need to hold firm for the next 10 minutes, quieten the place down again.

GOAL! Brighton 1-3 Arsenal | Kaoru Mitoma 65'

18:55 , Matt Verri

Well then!

Gross with a lovely pass through to Mitoma, he passes it into the far corner to give the home fans something to cheer.

Still plenty of time...

18:53 , Matt Verri

63 mins: Messy few minutes, mainly disrupted by balls being thrown onto the pitch from the stands. Arsenal not too bothered about the match being slowed down.

Arteta has the freedom to take off whoever he wants now, imagine Saka and Odegaard might get some rest before long.

18:51 , Matt Verri

60 mins: White and Zinchenko off for the Gunners, Tomiyasu and Tierney on as Arteta shuffles his full-backs.

Trossard and Lallana are replaced by Sarmiento and Ferguson for Brighton, both managers making changes on the hour mark.

18:47 , Matt Verri

57 mins: How is not 4-0?!

Free-kick swung in, Gabriel gets a good connection on it but Sanchez somehow reacts in time to keep it out. Saliba fires wide from the rebound.

18:45 , Matt Verri

55 mins: Saka into the book as he brings Estupinan down. He’s one yellow card away from a suspension now, that’s his fourth of the season.

Trossard has time to turn in the box, but when he does there’s four black shirts waiting for him. Hacked away and Nketiah does really well to win a cheap free-kick on the halfway line.

18:43 , Matt Verri

53 mins: Partey is going to launch a long throw into the box, Gabriel standing right on Sanchez.

Decent from the midfielder, fair distance on it but it’s nodded behind for a goal-kick.

Simon Collings at the Amex

18:40 , Matt Verri

A slow start by this Arsenal’s team standards... over two minutes after the second-half had started until they scored.

18:40 , Matt Verri

50 mins: Brighton need a miracle now, this has turned into a far more comfortable night than Arteta would have imagined.

Arsenal fans in fine voice at the end where Nketiah just scored - the New Year’s Eve party is up and running!

GOAL! Brighton 0-3 Arsenal | Eddie Nketiah 47'

18:37 , Matt Verri

Chance for Brighton to break early in the half, Trossard with space on the left. Poor cross into the box though.

Arsenal straight on the counter, Martinelli drives into the box and fires an effort at goal. Sanchez keeps it out, only parried to Nketiah though and he bundles it in from close range!

Back up and running!

18:35 , Matt Verri

Underway for the second-half at the Amex.

Arsenal captain at it again

18:31 , Matt Verri

Simon Collings at the Amex

18:26 , Matt Verri

A great half for Arsenal, who started and ended it with a goal. Brighton had plenty of possession, but Arsenal controlled the game well. Odegaard once again on another level.

Not a bad way to start...

18:23 , Matt Verri

HT: Brighton 0-2 Arsenal

18:20 , Matt Verri

Perfect 45 minutes for Arsenal.

Saka put them in front with just over a minute played, before Odegaard doubled the lead with a bobbling effort.

The Gunners are set to enter 2023 seven points clear at the top!

18:18 , Matt Verri

45+2 mins: The cards are flying out now, Partey earns himself a yellow for catching Lallana late. Arteta looked very close to bringing down March on the touchline as the referee played advantage.

Referee is over to both benches to warn them about the protesting going on.

18:17 , Matt Verri

45+1 mins: Gilmour into the book, as he slides in and chops Partey down. Not a great challenge, Arsenal players not too impressed with it. And Gabriel joins him on yellow card for time wasting - gone very early with that!

Three minutes added on.

18:15 , Matt Verri

44 mins: March onto his left foot, floats a deep cross into the box but it’s too deep. Over everyone and out of play.

Arsenal fans behind that goal enjoyed it... they’re enjoying pretty much everything at the moment.

18:13 , Matt Verri

42 mins: Brief concern for Arsenal as Saka goes down after getting his ankle clipped, looks like he’ll be fine to continue though.

Perfect situation now for the Gunners, they’re able to just control the match without needing to force anything. That’s the plan anyway.

Simon Collings at the Amex

18:12 , Matt Verri

You’d be hard pressed to find a better Premier League midfielder than Martin Odegaard right now. He’s on another level at the moment.

GOAL! Brighton 0-2 Arsenal | Martin Odegaard 39'

18:10 , Matt Verri

Another lovely Arsenal move, set on their way as Ramsdale plays a brave pass through to Partey. Eventually ends with White winning a corner as his low cross is blocked.

Saka whips it in, falls for Odegaard and his strike bobbles past Sanchez! Not the cleanest of finishes but he doesn’t care.

18:07 , Matt Verri

36 mins: Far too easy for March to cut inside onto his left foot, Zinchenko distracted by Lamptey’s run on the overlap.

Patient from Brighton though, they play it all the way back to Dunk before it’s fired straight out of play. De Zerbi not particularly thrilled.

18:04 , Matt Verri

33 mins: Estupinan flying forward on the left, he’s clattered by White as the right-back slides in to block the cross. Certainly took man and ball.

The Brighton full-back is on his feet again though, fine to continue.

Simon Collings at the Amex

18:02 , Matt Verri

Arsenal, as they like to do, are getting Martinelli one on one with his opposite man, but so far Lamptey has dealt well with him. He’s standing Martinelli up and not diving in.

18:01 , Matt Verri

30 mins: And again from Lamptey, this time sliding in to block Martinelli’s effort after Saka had picked him out.

Arsenal pressing high and getting some joy winning the ball back as Brighton look to play their way out.

17:59 , Matt Verri

28 mins: Really good from Lamptey, as Martinelli looks to beat him. Right-back stays on his feet and wins it back, before drawing the foul from the Brazilian.

Martinelli was caught in two minds and took too long to make his mind up there.

17:56 , Matt Verri

25 mins: Ball down the line to March, he has a chance to run at Zinchenko.

Beats the Arsenal left-back and cuts it back, nobody there in a blue and white shirt. Saliba can only find Trossard with a poor clearance, his shot is tipped over by Ramsdale.

Again it’s pretty well defended by the Gunners.

17:55 , Matt Verri

23 mins: This time Odegaard loses it, Brighton can break through Lallana... they lost it immediately.

Arsenal straight back on the attack, Partey plays it out to Saka. So much space, looks to square it for Nketiah but it’s put behind for a corner.

It’s swung in by Saka, a bit of a mess in the box before it falls for Partey. Deflected effort flies just wide!

17:52 , Matt Verri

21 mins: That would have been absolutely outrageous.

Martinelli inside to Odegaard, it’s a stunning flick back to the Brazilian who knocks the ball into the six-yard box... nobody there for a tap-in.

Odegaad having a lot of fun out there. Again.

17:50 , Matt Verri

19 mins: Mitoma leads a Brighton charge down the left, Saka struggling to keep up with him.

Looks to slide a pass through to Trossard, too much on it though and it runs out of play for a goal-kick.

17:49 , Matt Verri

18 mins: Anthony Taylor determined to drag these corners out for as long as possible, it would seem. He’s called Odegaard and March over for a word.

Deeper from Gross this time, Ramsdale misses it but his defenders get him out of trouble.

17:48 , Matt Verri

16 mins: There is that space in behind Zinchenko, Lamptey flying forward to exploit it.

Cut back to Lallana who lays it off to Trossard. His shot is completely shanked, spins awkwardly towards Ramsdale and he decides to just tip it behind for a corner.

Fired in at the near post, Nketiah heads away. But the referee has decided the ball was moving as it came in, back we go. Nketiah slices it behind for another corner.

Simon Collings at the Amex

17:45 , Matt Verri

Brighton have improved since going behind, but De Zerbi is still not happy. He is constantly in Solly March’s ear, telling him to get in behind Zinchenko.

There’s space out wide when Zinchenko tucks in.

17:44 , Matt Verri

13 mins: Long throw down the line from Brighton, Saliba gets in a bit of a mess and Trossard beats him to it. Comes back to March who tries his luck from 20 yards out, charged down.

That’s got the home fans going, the Seagulls enjoying a decent spell.

17:42 , Matt Verri

11 mins: Brighton starting to get on the ball a bit more now, they’ve settled after looking slightly stunned early on.

Mitoma is the man they’re looking to find, keeping his width out on the left. Not an easy night for him though up against White.

17:39 , Matt Verri

8 mins: Martinelli causing the hosts real problems already.

Lamptey doesn’t get tight enough to him, allowing the Brazilian to play a low cross into the box. Xhaka flicks it on, falls for Nketiah who slices a shot wide as he swivels.

It is all Arsenal.

17:37 , Matt Verri

6 mins: Brighton happy to slow things down a bit and just try and keep hold of the ball, been a bit of a ragged start from them.

Here they come on the attack for the first time, Mitoma crowded out of it though and now Arsenal are away again.

Odegaard drifting forward again, finds Martinelli who cuts inside and has a shot blocked.

17:35 , Matt Verri

4 mins: Should be 2-0! This is sensational from Arsenal.

Martinelli cuts inside, slides a lovely pass through to Zinchenko who turns well in the box. Just the keeper to beat, Sanchez denies him from a tight angle.

Simon Collings at the Amex

17:34 , Matt Verri

How’s that for a nerve settler? Arsenal so fast out of the blocks there.

Huge high-fives from those on the Arsenal bench. They know how important it was to start well here.

GOAL! Brighton 0-1 Arsenal | Bukayo Saka 1'

17:33 , Matt Verri

WHAT A START FOR ARSENAL!

Odegaard drives all the way into the box, looks to find Xhaka but it breaks down. Arsenal stay on the attack though, ball in bobbles through to Saka at the back post and he keeps his cool to finish.

KICK-OFF!

17:31 , Matt Verri

We’re underway at the Amex for the final Premier League match of 2022!

17:28 , Matt Verri

As has been the case ahead of all the matches today, a minute’s silence will be observed before kick-off in memory of Pele.

Here we go...

17:25 , Matt Verri

Teams are in the tunnel at the Amex, kick-off coming up very shortly.

Tough run of fixtures for Arsenal starts this evening - win here would be a massive statement heading into the New Year.

Brighton will be right up for this, particularly after their six-minute light show. Yes, six minutes.

Been quite the year!

17:20 , Matt Verri

Arteta’s pre-match thoughts

17:15 , Matt Verri

“A big test. [Brighton] are a side in really good form and playing really well. It’s always though.

“They have a lot of courage to play, they are technically a really good side and well coached.”

Not long now...

17:11 , Matt Verri

Just over 20 minutes to go until kick-off.

Arsenal fans ready to get the New Year’s Eve party underway, but a word of caution. The Gunners have won just two of their last ten matches against Brighton in all competitions.

Warm-up time!

17:06 , Matt Verri

17:03 , Matt Verri

Manchester City and Newcastle second and third in the table respectively... they’ve both drawn this afternoon.

Big boost for Arsenal ahead of this evening’s clash, they can go seven points clear at the top and 13 points above Tottenham in fifth with victory.

Simon Collings at the Amex

16:57 , Matt Verri

Arteta: Lots we can improve

16:51 , Matt Verri

Mikel Arteta was in mood to get carried away when asked how he feels about his side going into the New Year top of the table.

“Very good, but my feeling is about [Brighton], playing well and performing at the level that we’re going to need to win the game against a really good side,” the Arsenal boss said.

“That’s the focus. We are really happy with where we are but as I’ve always said, there are a lot of things we can still do better and improve - and we have to show that in the coming games.”

Good news at the Etihad...

16:45 , Matt Verri

Manchester City currently being held by Everton, it’s 1-1 there with the best part of ten minutes plus stoppage-time to go.

If it stays like that, Arsenal could begin 2023 seven points clear with victory tonight. Huge opportunity.

Brighton a really tough test for the Gunners though.

Changes for both sides

16:38 , Matt Verri

One change for Arsenal, as Zinchenko comes in to replace Tierney at left-back. Tomiyasu is fit enough to make the squad, and is alongside the likes of Vieira and Elneny on the bench.

For Brighton, Gilmour starts in midfield with Caicedo out due to suspension. Welbeck is not in the squad against his former club, with Trossard trusted again in that false nine role.

Brighton team news

16:34 , Matt Verri

Brighton XI: Sanchez, Lamptey, Colwill, Dunk, Estupinan, Gross, Gilmour, March, Mitoma, Lallana, Trossard

Subs: Veltman, Steele, Moran, Enciso, Turns, Ferguson, Sarmiento, Hinshelwood, Van Hecke

Arsenal team news

16:31 , Matt Verri

Arsenal XI: Ramsdale, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Nketiah.

Subs: Turner, Holding, Cedric, Vieira, Lokonga, Elneny, Marquinhos, Tierney, Tomiyasu.

Visitors have arrived!

16:26 , Matt Verri

Lineups coming up next!

16:22 , Matt Verri

We’ll have all the team news from the Amex in just under ten minutes now.

Tomiyasu and Zinchenko among those trying to push their way into the Arsenal side, while Gilmour looks to be favourite to replace the suspended Caicedo for Brighton.

All will be revealed shortly!

Arteta: Brighton have a lot of confidence

16:15 , Matt Verri

Mikel Arteta has been full of praise for Brighton in the build-up to this match.

“They are a really good team, they are playing at a really high level,” the Arsenal boss said in his press conference.

“They are a team that dominate almost every phase of play that is relevant to dominate a football match. They have a lot of confidence and play with their own personality.

“I know the coach really well - he’s someone I’ve followed for a period and he’s doing really well.”

New Year’s Eve party...

16:08 , Matt Verri

It really is a big occasion this evening - we’re going to have a light show for six whole minutes ahead of kick-off.

Try and contain your excitement.

Brighton with reason to be confident

16:01 , Matt Verri

Brighton have already beaten Arsenal this season, knocking the Gunners out of the Carabao Cup with victory at the Emirates.

They’ve enjoyed plenty of success on home soil against Arsenal in recent seasons too, losing just one of the last five meetings between the two sides at the Amex.

De Zerbi: Mudryk can win the Ballon d’Or

15:54 , Matt Verri

Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi has backed Mykhaylo Mudryk to one day win the Ballon d’Or.

The Shakhtar Donetsk winger is Arsenal’s leading target ahead of the January transfer window and the Premier League leaders have already seen an offer worth £55m rejected.

De Zerbi oversaw part of Mudryk’s development and the forward scored two goals while registering nine assists in 19 appearances under the Italian’s watch. Together, the pair won the Ukrainian Super Cup in 2021 before De Zerbi’s exit as a result of the Russian invasion.

“Mudryk is a fantastic player, but Brighton can’t buy him,” said the Italian.

“I like him, because I like all my ex-players. But Brighton can’t buy him, Arsenal, I don’t know. I think Mudryk can win the Ballon d’Or in the future.”

As it stands...

15:47 , Matt Verri

With Manchester City currently beating Everton, they are set to close to within two points of Arsenal ahead of this evening’s match. The Gunners can obviously restore that five-point advantage with a win.

As for Brighton, they can enter 2023 seventh and just five points off the Champions League spots if they come away with a victory.

Only two sides have stopped Arsenal winning in the Premier League so far this season, Manchester United and Southampton. The Seagulls are looking to join that exclusive club.

Saliba set for new Arsenal deal

15:40 , Matt Verri

Mikel Arteta is hopeful Arsenal will tie down William Saliba to a new contract, insisting the defender is “really happy” at the club.

Saliba is about to head into the final 18 months of his current deal and Arsenal are in talks with him over an extension.

That is one of a number of deals that Arsenal are working on, as they also want to agree fresh terms with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.

Arsenal’s sporting director Edu is leading the negotiations and asked if they are progressing well, Arteta said: “I hope so.

“That’s more to Edu and the board to be discussing with him (Saliba). What I know is that the player is really happy, the player wants to be here and that’s the main thing.”

Read the full story on that here

One last time in 2022!

15:33 , Matt Verri

Prediction

15:27 , Matt Verri

Few teams in the Premier League are playing with more confidence than Brighton, but Arsenal are one of them.

It should be an entertaining encounter, with both playing attractive football. The Gunners could potentially suffer more frustration against a Seagulls side who have regularly caused them problems in recent seasons.

Draw, 1-1.

Arsenal team news

15:20 , Matt Verri

Takehiro Tomiyasu has been struggling with a muscle issue since appearing at the World Cup with Japan and he missed the Gunners’ Boxing Day win over West Ham.

The right-back has since returned to training, though, and is set to be in Arsenal’s squad this evening.

“He is getting closer and closer. He has been training with us, so he is available,” said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal will, however, be without Emile Smith Rowe (groin), Gabriel Jesus (knee) and Reiss Nelson (hamstring). Of those, Smith Rowe is the closest to making a return and should make his comeback early next month.

Predicted Arsenal XI: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli

Brighton team news

15:14 , Matt Verri

Moises Caicedo will miss the match due to suspension in a huge blow to Brighton, after he picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Southampton. Billy Gilmour could replace him.

Alexis Mac Allister remains unavailable after his World Cup heroics, while Danny Welbeck faces a race to prove his fitness ahead of the visit of his former club.

How to watch Brighton vs Arsenal

15:07 , Matt Verri

TV channel: In the UK, the match will be televised live on Sky Sports Main Event and Football.

Live stream: Fans can also watch the action live online via the Sky Go app.

Live blog: You can follow all the action right here, featuring expert analysis from Simon Collings at the ground.

Good afternoon!

15:00 , Matt Verri

Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Brighton vs Arsenal!

The Gunners are looking to finish 2022 on a high - whatever happens this evening they’ll enter the New Year top of the Premier League. Won’t be an easy match for them though, Brighton in good form and playing brilliant football.

We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news ahead of kick-off, which comes at 5:30pm GMT from the Amex Stadium.