Since Brighton & Hove Albion’s promotion to the Premier League in 2017, we have locked horns with the Seagulls regularly, but prior to that, the fixture was a rare occurrence.

The two clubs first met in the FA Cup third round in January 1935 at The Goldstone Ground, Brighton’s much-loved stadium between 1902 to 1997. In front of a 22,343 crowd, Arsenal ran out 2-0 winners against the Division Three (South) side, courtesy of goals from Joe Hulme and Ted Drake.

Although Seagulls fans went home disappointed, the healthy gate (way above their average of 6,000) meant that Brighton enjoyed a healthy pay day. Despite the chilly weather, a healthy number of Arsenal fans travelled down to the south coast via steam trains and charabancs to take in the sea air. George Allison’s men lost in the quarter-finals to Sheffield Wednesday, but won the league title to complete a hat trick of championships.

It would be another 44 years until we met again, and having waited so long for one game, incredibly five came along in five months.

Alan Mullery’s free-flowing side finally reached the promised land of the First Division ahead of the 1979/80 campaign, but in their first-ever...