Facing Arsenal may not be the easiest of games for Brighton to contest on Boxing Day, but defender Leon Balogun is confident the Seagulls can cause an upset at the Amex Stadium.
Unai Emery's side visit the South Coast on Wednesday just 10 days after Brighton threatened to hold Chelsea to a draw but, ultimately, ended up losing 2-1.
After the defeat to Maurizio Sarri's side, Balogun told Standard Sport he felt Brighton hadn't had a bad game but only lost because they handed the Blues "gifts" in terms of the way they allowed Chelsea to score twice in the first half.
Chris Hughton's team, who currently sit in 13th place in the Premier League standings, have won four games at the Amex Stadium this season - including a 3-2 victory over Manchester United in August.
And Balogun admits the Brighton players are confident of competing with Arsenal on Boxing Day because of the way they have battled against the likes of Chelsea at home this season.
"We are always very confident when we play at home and I think that the whole performance today just showed everyone why," Balogun exclusively told Standard Sport.
"We really gave Chelsea a struggle and a hard time. It wasn't an easy game for them to just carry away those three points, we gave them gifts.
"So, I think, we definitely can be very confident about playing against Arsenal at home."
Balogun is in his first season in the Premier League after leaving Bundesliga side Mainz and joining the Seagulls on a free transfer in May.
The 30-year-old spent the first few months at the Amex mostly on the bench but, after coming on as a substitute to score his first Brighton goal in their recent 3-1 win over rivals Crystal Palace, he has started the last three games in a row.
In Pictures | Arsenal vs Burnley | 22/12/2018
"[I want to] play as much as possible, to stay fit and healthy," the Nigeria international said when asked what his aims for this season are.
"Of course, to maintain [Brighton's place] in the Premier League [too].
"So far, we are playing quite a good season. With those performances against a top side like Chelsea, I think it's very promising.
"We just want to get as many points as possible, save the league early and then everything that comes on top is just a bonus."
