ARSENAL charged back to the top of the Premier League after a dominant 3-0 victory at Brighton.
The returning Bukayo Saka gave the Gunners the lead from the penalty spot before Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard got on the scoresheet.
The Gunners put the pressure back on Liverpool ahead of their tussle with Manchester United tomorrow afternoon.
- Brighton starting XI: Verbruggen, Lamptey, Dunk, Van Hecke, Estupinan, Gross, Baleba, Enciso, Adingra, Welbeck, Moder
- Arsenal starting XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Havertz, Jesus
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That’s all from the Amex.
After Manchester City fought back to win at Crystal Palace at lunchtime, Arsenal delivered a tasty three points at teatime.
It means the Gunners are back at the top of the Premier League, a point ahead of Pep Guardiola’s champions.
Sandwiched between the two are Liverpool, who face Manchester United at Old Trafford tomorrow. Only a victory will see the Anfield outfit regain their place at the summit, and we’ll be there to cover every kick.
It’s over to you, Jurgen.
Goodnight.
Arteta delighted to end Brighton run
Mikel Arteta praised Roberto De Zerbi and his Brighton team before acknowledging that his side had to be at their best to claim a huge three points.
I’m really happy. It was a big performance. They haven’t lost here since August, and they are a really good team and extremely well-coached, but we were outstanding today. We needed that level to beat them today.
Mikel Arteta
Extra! Read all about it!
It’s almost time to bring our coverage to a close but before we do, let’s relive an absorbing evening of Premier League action on the south coast with Dan King’s match report of Arsenal’s 3-0 win at Brighton.
This time, Bukayo Saka and Arsenal held their nerve as they returned to the top of the Premier League table. This time, perhaps they will still be there at the end of the season. In the Gunners’ 31st game of the last campaign, Saka had the chance to make it 3-1 against West Ham from the penalty spot. But he fired wide, the Hammers went on to equalise and Mikel Arteta’s side went on to bottle the title. A year on, Saka and Arsenal are made of sterner stuff.
Dan King
De Zerbi pleased with effort
Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi praised his players for their effort in defeat to Arsenal – but bemoaned their injury crisis.
The Seagulls are currently without seven first teamers, and the Italian feels it is reason why his side failed to truly troubled the visiting defence.
The effort was good, and good enough to decide this game. We played a good first half, and until the second goal we were in the game. At this moment without a lot of important players it is tough to create a chance to score. We feel sorry for ourselves and our fans.
Roberto De Zerbi
Seagulls shot down again by Gunners
After the shocking way Brighton ended Arsenal’s title challenge last season, the Gunners have roared back this time.
And after today, Mikel Arteta’s men have now won both Premier League meetings with the Seagulls in 2023-24 without conceding a goal.
It is the first time that Brighton have lost and failed to score home and away against an opponent in the Premier League since Roberto De Zerbi took charge at the club.
Saka: We have the momentum
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka made a goalscoring return to the Arsenal line-up – and then warned title rivals Liverpool and Manchester City that his side are building momentum at the right time.
We’re all buzzing. We know the win takes us back on top so we’re happy. To come here and put in a top performance after playing three days ago shows we’re building momentum.
Bukayo Saka
Now you’re Gunner believe us
Arsenal are back at the top of the Premier League – for now.
The Gunners have leapfrogged Manchester City and Liverpool with tonight’s win at Brighton, but Jurgen Klopp’s Reds can regain first place tomorrow if they win at Manchester United.
Credit: premierleague.com Match stats from the Amex
Arsenal have kept five successive away clean sheets in the Premier League for just the second time, last doing so back in 1997.
Full time – Brighton 0-3 Arsenal
Arsenal are back on top of the Premier League.
After Manchester City’s win at Crystal Palace earlier today, the Gunners have followed suit with a comprehensive victory here at the Amex.
A first half penalty from Bukayo Saka and second half goals from Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard did the business from an attacking perspective while the defence clocked up another clean sheet on the road.
Brighton 0-3 Arsenal – White yellow card
90+5. Ben White picks up a daft yellow in the final seconds for kicking the ball away, and with it brings the biggest cheer of the day from the home fans.
Brighton 0-3 Arsenal
90+2. The Arsenal fans are singing in the rain.
Enjoy it, Gooners, because in a moment you’re going to have to spend an hour queuing up to get into the train station.
Brighton 0-3 Arsenal
90. Gabriel is celebrating as if he has already won the Premier League.
With the board showing five minutes, the ball drops to Joao Pedro at the back post.
The Brighton substitute winds up a goalbound strike, one that the Arsenal defender throws himself at to block and preserve the clean sheet.
Brighton 0-3 Arsenal – Arsenal double substitution
88. Mikel Arteta makes his final two changes, bringing off Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard off to hero receptions.
On for a late runaround are Eddie Nketiah and Fabio Vieira.
Brighton 0-3 Arsenal
86. Three goals for Arsenal! Three points for Arsenal!
Pascal Gross is caught in possession by Kai Havertz midway inside the visitors’ half, and the ball falls kindly into the path for Leandro Trossard.
With nothing and nobody ahead of him, the Belgian puts his head down and goes, running 50 yards to bear down on Bart Verbruggen before dinking a beautiful finish over the stranded goalkeeper.
Advantage Arsenal in the title race!
Against his former club!
Brighton 0-2 Arsenal
83. Brighton are pushing and pushing, committing more and more men forward, which usually means one thing.
Arsenal on the counter, anyone?
Brighton 0-2 Arsenal
81. Into the final ten, and Brighton are starting to dominate the ball for the first time tonight.
However, Arsenal’s are keeping them at bay – and seem very happy to do so.
Brighton 0-2 Arsenal – Saliba yellow card
79. Now William Saliba picks up a caution.
It seems a harsh decision on the centre-back, whose challenge on Joao Pedro was minimal. In fact, it might have been given for the defender’s reaction to seeing a free-kick awarded.
Brighton 0-2 Arsenal – Brighton substitution
77. The home side make their third change and it’s the end of the road for former Arsenal man Danny Welbeck.
As the striker goes off, the Amex welcomes back Barcelona loanee Ansu Fati for his first Premier League appearance since March 10.
Brighton 0-2 Arsenal – Baleba yellow card
75. Carlos Baleba becomes the first player to see his name written into John Brooks’ notebook.
The Brighton midfielder is penalised for cynically pulling down Gabriel Martinelli after David Raya’s launch upfield had threatened a swift counter.
Brighton 0-2 Arsenal
73. Arsenal’s goal difference is now at +50, eight more than Liverpool and ten more than Manchester City.
How crucial that could be come the end of the season.
Brighton 0-2 Arsenal – Brighton substitution
71. Another change for Arsenal.
Takehiro Tomiyasu comes on for the final stages, shoring up a defence vacated by Oleksandr ZInchenko.
Brighton 0-2 Arsenal
69. Trossard nearly rubs salts in Brighton wounds by scoring against his former club.
The Belgian’s driving run from midfield ends with a fierce low shot towards the bottom corner that Verbruggen does well to keep out.
Brighton 0-2 Arsenal
67. Kai Havertz now has nine Premier League goals this campaign, his most in a season since he moved to England.
Perhaps we are beginning to see the player Chelsea thought they had bought.
It’s incredible what coaching and tactics can do.
Brighton 0-2 Arsenal – Arsenal double substitution
65. With his side’s lead doubled, Mikel Arteta takes the opportunity to make switches of his own.
Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka make way, and on come Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, the latter to boos from his former supporters.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
