Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard were on target as Arsenal powered to the Premier League summit with an impressive 3-0 victory at Brighton.
The Gunners were the dominant force from kick-off and opened the scoring when England winger Saka capped his return from injury by converting a clinical 33rd-minute penalty.
Havertz then doubled the away side’s advantage just past the hour when he tucked in Jorginho’s cut back from the right.
Brighton’s best moment came when David Raya tipped away Julio Enciso’s delightful curler, but on the whole Roberto de Zerbi’s side struggled to unlock the visitors’ imperious defence.
Substitute Trossard then raced clear four minutes from time to rub salt in the wounds of his former club as The Seagulls slumped to their first home loss since September.
The result means The Gunners move a point clear of Liverpool who play their game in hand at Manchester United on Sunday. Manchester City are third but only trail Jurgen Klopp’s Merseysiders on goal difference.
Arsenal will now switch focus to the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter final with Bayern Munich prior to hosting Aston Villa next Sunday. Brighton, who sit 10th, are at Burnley next Saturday.
Talking Point – All eyes on Old Trafford as Arsenal shine yet again
Arsenal made this potential banana skin in their title run-in look like a routine assignment as Arteta’s side continued their majestic top-flight form in 2024.
It’s now 31 points from a possible 33 in their 11 PL matches this calendar year with an aggregate score of 38-4.
The fact that Brighton were undefeated in their own backyard in 14 games across all competitions made it all the more impressive and will only enhance the belief amongst that Gunners squad.
It followed Man City’s fine win at Crystal Palace and poses a real question of Liverpool now with a trip to rivals Man United providing a stern test of The Merseyside club’s credentials. Will we see a contender finally blink or will this relentless trio be as you were once again? All eyes on Sunday as this gripping race surges on.
Player of the Match – Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
The Gunners forward went close to scoring from open play and created several openings for his teammates with his trickery on the right. Showed nerves of steel to knock in the opening penalty and take his goal contributions for the season past the 30 mark (17 goals, 13 assists).
Player Ratings
BRIGHTON: Verbruggen 7, Lamptey 5, Van Hecke 6, Dunk 6, Estupinan 6, Gross 6, Baleba 6, Moder 6, Enciso 6, Adingra 6, Welbeck 5. Subs: Joao Pedro 5, Buonanotte 5, Fati 5.
ARSENAL: Raya 7, White 7, Saliba 8, Gabriel 8, Zinchenko 7, Odegaard 8, Rice 8, Jorginho 8, Saka 8*, Havertz 8, Jesus 8. Subs: Martinelli 6, Trossard 6, Tomiyasu 6, Nketiah n/a, Vieira n/a.
Match Highlights
02’ – ARSENAL CHANCE! Gabriel beats the keeper to Odegaard’s sublime delivery but flashes a free header wide of the near post.
13’ – ARSENAL CHANCES! Saka surges into the box from White’s pass and cuts inside before curving wide of the far post. Seconds later the visitors come again but Bart Verbruggen springs to his left to push away Jesus’ first-time shot from Saka’s smart cut back.
33’ – GOAL! – Brighton 0-1 Arsenal: (Saka – penalty). It’s a clinical spot kick as Saka blasts his penalty into the far corner with Verbruggen diving the opposite way. The kick was awarded after Lamptey had jumped into an impatient challenge on Jesus.
62’ – GOAL! – Brighton 0-2 Arsenal: (Havertz). The hosts give it away cheaply deep inside their own territory and Jorginho is allowed to skip to the right byline and put it on a plate for Havertz to guide in at the near post.
86’ – GOAL! – Brighton 0-3 Arsenal: (Trossard). The former Brighton man races clear to fake a shot before dinking home after the hosts were caught out on the break.
Key Stats
Read the full article here
