Brighton could be the "nearest pursuers" to Arsenal for the Premier League title, according to Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman.

The Seagulls have made an impressive start to the season and are second on 22 points after 10 matches.

Fabian Hurzeler's men are five points adrift of leaders Arsenal and one ahead of third placed Manchester City.

Brighton are also the leading scorers in the division with 26 goals and have conceded just seven times - only Arsenal have leaked fewer with five.

"There is an argument to be made that they would be the nearest pursuers to Arsenal," said Goodman, speaking to Betway.

Arsenal’s five-point cushion

"But I can’t see them sustaining the results that they’ll need to in order to overtake Arsenal, and the reason is Arsenal have already got a five-point cushion on Brighton.

"In terms of the rest of the teams though, they do seem to be the ones that are putting it together the best."

Brighton do have a strong squad this season but Goodman feels the demands of the Premier League and Uefa Conference League could catch up with them in the later stages.

He added: "I think winning the league might be a fraction beyond them though, and I do worry later on in the season what impact juggling European football will have on Brighton.

Top four for Brighton

"When you look back to last season and you saw that Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest and Spurs were all in a relegation battle.

"I do think that this season it looks like Sunderland for example are struggling juggling that European football with Premier League football, so it’s not uncommon.

"For Brighton to be able to sustain it through a 38-game Premier League season and a European campaign, you kind of think maybe not win the league, but absolutely, you hope that they can be challenging for a top-four Champions League spot."

Goodman, who had a prolific career as a striker for the likes of West Bromwich Albion, Sunderland and Wolves, has been impressed by the rise of Brighton and believes it’s just reward for how the club operates and long-term planning.

“I’ve been commentating for Sky Sports for 20 years next March, and I’ve commentated on Brighton and Hove Albion in League One and a lot in the Championship over that period of time,” Goodman added.

Forward -thinking Brighton

“To see the progression of the football club, along with others like Bournemouth and Brentford who are very similar in terms of the trajectory is wonderful and highlights the benefit of being a forward-thinking, well-run football club that plans ahead.

“It is wonderful to watch football clubs progress, and I think that over the last certainly few seasons since the Europa Conference League has been introduced by UEFA, it has certainly provided a happy hunting ground for Premier League clubs in terms of being able to win it.

“And there’s no reason whatsoever that Brighton cannot go on to win the Europa Conference League.

“I’m not saying it’s easy, but I’m saying with the football that they’re playing, you could make an argument that they’re the best team in it.”