Chris Sutton believes that Arsenal will prove they are capable of going "all the way" in the Premier League title race if they beat Brighton on New Year's Eve - but has also predicted that the Seagulls will upset Mikel Arteta's men.
The Gunners are still five points ahead of defending champions Manchester City at the summit of the domestic standings as 2022 draws to a close and appear to be the most credible contenders in the race to dethrone Pep Guardiola's all-conquering side.
Arsenal's unlikely title tilt comes just months after they missed out on Champions League qualification following their implosion in the final weeks of the 2021/22 campaign.
The Gunners have dropped points just twice this season after winning 13 of their 15 games; and after battling back to defeat West Ham on Boxing Day, the Londoners will be hoping to extend their impressive run of form when they travel to Brighton on Saturday night.
Sutton, however, believes that Arsenal's fine domestic record could be under threat against Brighton, who dumped them out of the Carabao Cup in style back in November.
But despite his hunch that Arsenal will come unstuck on the south coast, Sutton has conceded that if the Gunners can do the business against Roberto De Zerbi's side, then they will underline their title credentials and will prove once and for all that they are capable of wrestling the Premier League crown away from Manchester City's grasp.
Sutton told BBC Sport : "If Arsenal go to Brighton and win then that will be a sign that they can go all the way and win the title.
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"It was massive for the Gunners that Eddie Nketiah scored in their win over West Ham, and he took his goal really well too, but this is a big test of their resolve and the sort of game where they will miss the injured Gabriel Jesus.
"Brighton knocked Arsenal out of the Carabao Cup earlier in the season but they actually have a decent record against them in the Premier League in recent years, and beat them at Emirates Stadium in April.
"I’m going for another Seagulls success here, although the way they play means Arsenal will have chances."
Regardless of the outcome against Brighton, Arsenal are guaranteed to be top of the Premier League heading into 2023 after beating West Ham in their last outing. The Gunners were top of the tree at Christmas for just the third time since the Premier League's inception as they bid to claim their first title since the 2002/03 campaign.
