Arsenal successfully overcame a resilient Brighton side, temporarily reclaiming the top spot in the Premier League from Liverpool, if only for a brief period.
Arsenal reclaimed the league’s top position with goals from Gabriel Jesus’ header and a late strike by Kai Havertz, just ahead of the highly anticipated match between Liverpool and Manchester United at 16:30 GMT.
Despite Arsenal’s first-half dominance yielding no rewards, the tension eased as Gabriel Jesus scored after a corner, securing a crucial breakthrough.
The hosts narrowly avoided punishment as Pascal Gross poked wide, but relief swept through the Emirates Stadium when Kai Havertz sealed the victory, prompting joyous celebrations.
Despite the Seagulls’ quest for a third successive league victory at the Emirates Stadium, they could only muster one shot on target, resulting in their descent to ninth place in the league standings.
Following a conservative first-half display, Brighton intensified their attacking threat in the final half-hour. However, it can be argued that anything other than a home win would have been scarcely deserved.
Arsenal registered a total of 25 shots in the match and came close to adding a late third goal, with substitute Emile Smith Rowe making a significant impact.
“It was an incredible performance. It was a joy to watch from the start to the end,” said Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, whose jubilant celebrations indicated the magnitude of the win.
“The way we played against a phenomenal Brighton side was incredible. We were patient, kept going, kept believing and got what we deserved.”
Arsenal Poses a Challenge to Liverpool and City with Victory
Amidst Liverpool’s upcoming match and Manchester City’s slip against Crystal Palace, Arsenal seized the opportunity to assert themselves as contenders in the Premier League.
Last week’s defeat to Aston Villa ended Arsenal’s stint at the top, interrupting a five-match winning streak. Despite the setback, Arteta and his players maintained an optimistic outlook, focusing on the positives from a match where ample chances were created.
Sticking with the same starting XI against Brighton, Arteta urged his team to make amends in front of their home crowd, aiming to extend an impressive 12-game unbeaten run at the Emirates Stadium.
In a one-sided first half, Arsenal exhibited speed and purpose against a deep-lying Brighton side, crafting opportunities for Saka, Odegaard, Gabriel, and Martinelli. However, the elusive ruthless streak Arteta desired remained absent.
Despite heading into halftime with 15 goal attempts, only three found the target, setting the stage for a second half where Odegaard squandered another chance, emphasizing the need for a clinical edge.
The opening goal materialized inadvertently as Van Hecke’s block led to Jesus capitalizing on a corner. Recognizing the significance of a second goal, Arsenal pressed forward, with Gross missing a crucial chance for Brighton.
Ultimately, victory was sealed as Havertz finished off a slick counter-attack, marking his fourth goal in the past seven games and solidifying Arsenal’s competitive stance.
