ARSENAL have gone SEVEN points clear at the top of the Premier League after beating a spirited Brighton 4-2.
The Gunners were made to work for the three points, with Brighton fighting back into the game after going 3-0 down and setting up a nail-biting finale.
Second-placed Manchester City were held 1-1 by Everton earlier today.
- Report: Brighton 2 Arsenal 4
- Brighton XI: Sanchez, Lamptey, Dunk, Colwill, Estupinan, Gilmour, Gross, March, Lallana, Mitoma, Trossard
- Arsenal XI: Ramsdale, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Nketiah
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That’s all from us
That is all from us for coverage of Arsenal vs Brighton tonight, and we hope that you enjoy however you are ringing in the New Year.
There is more football to come from us tomorrow, but if you haven’t quite got today’s footballing fix, check out the player ratings from this game here…
Thank you as always for reading, and for all of your support this year.
Have a great night, and see you next year!
Match stats
These are the statistics for the game which saw Arsenal go seven points clear at the top of the Premier League.
As you can see, it was Brighton who dominated possession, though that was not reflected in the scoreline.
Arsenal ultimately were the better side, with more quality, and they really made that count in the final third in particular.
Arsenal tonight showed that they aren’t just a side that dominates the ball and play luxury football, but that they can also win the games that they don’t necessarily dominate.
The full-time stats as Arsenal beat Brighton by four goals to two. One last 2022 round-up
Here is the round-up for the final batch of games that took place in the Premier League in 2022.
- West Ham 0-2 Brentford
- Liverpool 2-1 Leicester
- Wolves 0-1 Manchester United
- Fulham 2-1 Southampton
- Bournemouth 0-2 Crystal Palace
- Newcastle United 0-0 Leeds United
- Manchester City 1-1 Everton
- Brighton 2-4 Arsenal
You will notice that four teams are missing from this round of games, and that is because we have two games taking place tomorrow, on New Years Day.
Those games are as follows:
- Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea
- Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa
Man of the Match
There can only be one man, and it is him again, Martin Odegaard.
This man is a master in midfield and he is starting to prove why Real Madrid took a punt on him aged just 16.
His goal was something of a miss-hit volley into the ground, but his assist for Martinelli was nothing off the sort.
It will likely go down as assist of the season, and it is definitely going to take some beating if it doesn’t win it.
The ball was played to him just inside his own half, and with one sweeping movement he played an inch perfect ball to the feet of Martinelli, who strode through on goal before tapping home.
He has been one-of, if not the best midfielder in the Premier League this season, and that performance is one to add to his catalogue of great showings…
Seven clear for New Year
On a day where others slipped up, Arsenal moved seven points clear at the top of the Premier League.
That was thanks to goals from four different scorers in Eddie Nketiah, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard.
The pick of the bunch was scored by the Brazilian Martinelli, who was played through on goal in glorious fashion by Martin Odegaard.
It was almost a nervy finish for The Gunners, as Karou Mitoma thought he had a brace in the 88th minute, only for it to be ruled out by VAR.
That said, it was not meant to be for The Seagulls, and Arsenal fans will be starting to believe that they can really do it.
We suspect they will be celebrating extra-hard tonight…
Saka and Gabriel celebrate Arsenal moving seven points clear.Credit: Reuters 90+6. Brighton 2-4 Arsenal
The referee blows the full time whistle, and Arsenal are seven points clear at the top of the table as we move into 2023.
90+2. Brighton 2-4 Arsenal
What a fine finale this has been to the Premier League in 2022.
We almost had a grandstand finish on our hands, had that Mitoma second goal of stood, but it has been a wonderful game nonetheless.
90. Brighton 2-4 Arsenal
There will be six minutes of added time.
90. Brighton 2-4 Arsenal
Never mind… Ruled out by VAR, as Mitoma comes back from an offside position.
89. Brighton 3-4 Arsenal
Mitoma scores again!
Game. On.
87. Brighton 2-4 Arsenal
Arsenal making another substitution here, with Martin Odegaard being replaced by Rob Holding.
The Norweigan is given a standing ovation by the away supporters and rightfully so.
85. Brighton 2-4 Arsenal
Elneny is bought down, after he is subbed on for Thomas Partey.
Lamptey does really well down the right hand side to get a cross into the middle, but no one can do anything with it for Brighton.
83. Brighton 2-4 Arsenal
Sarmiento dives to the ground in an attempt to win a foul for his side, but there is nothing in it.
He is booked, and rightfully so.
81. Brighton 2-4 Arsenal
You have to give credit to Brighton here.
They might not take any points, but there are plenty of positives to take from this game for them.
They haven’t let their heads drop, and have controlled possession for large parts of the game against the league leaders.
79. Brighton 2-4 Arsenal
Normally so reliable, that is really poor from William Saliba.
He lets Ferguson slide past him all too easily, and perhaps looks a little complacent there.
77. Brighton 2-4 Arsenal
Well, well, well!
Evan Ferguson gets his first Premier League goal, aged just 18!
Game on!
75. Brighton 1-4 Arsenal
Julio Enciso is on for Brighton, he replaces Solly March for his third appearance of the season.
71. Brighton 1-4 Arsenal
That is how you assert your dominance.
From one end to the other thanks to a wonderful pass from Martin Odegaard.
It is through to the feet of Gabriel Martinelli, who toe pokes it home.
69. Brighton 1-3 Arsenal
Colwill can’t quite pick out Mitoma with a pass, as Brighton look to keep up their attacking momentum in this game.
Arteta is far more animated on the touchline all of a sudden.
66. Brighton 1-3 Arsenal
A lovely reverse pass from Pascal Gross finds Mitoma inside the box, and he does brilliantly to slot it past Aaron Ramsdale.
64. Brighton 1-3 Arsenal
Brighton get their goal, it is Karou Mitoma!
62. Brighton 0-3 Arsenal
A shove in the back from Dunk on Nketiah is not given as a penalty, despite the forwards’ protests.
It will be a goal kick for Sanchez in the Brighton goal.
60. Brighton 0-3 Arsenal
A few changes for both sides…
Zinchenko and White are replaced by Tomiyasu and Tierney.
Sarmiento and Ferguson are on for Brighton, in replacement of Adam Lallana and Trossard.
58. Brighton 0-3 Arsenal
Mitoma comes forward for Brighton, but Saliba is across to stop him in typically imperious fashion.
Brighton have a corner, which is stopped well by Ramsdale.
56. Brighton 0-3 Arsenal
It’s just the 56th minute, and the ‘ole’s’ are starting to come from the away supporters inside the AMEX.
A volley is fired over by Gabriel in the meantime.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
