Arsenal defeated Brighton 4-2 at the Amex in a thrilling encounter. The Gunners are now 7 points clear of second position Manchester City who dropped points courtesy of Everton’s visit.
Bukayo Sako opened the scoring in the 2nd minute of the game, then skipper Martin Odegaard doubled the lead in the 39th minute. Edward Nketiah took the game beyond Brighton in the 47th minute by scoring after a sublime move but Brighton grabbed a goal back in the 65th minute.
The Gunners took it further with Gabriel Martinelli making it 4. Evan Ferguson grabbed the second goal for Brighton but it was not enough to savage a point.
🔴 Live Blog
Goal! Brighton 2-4 Arsenal
Here we go again! Long ball forward, terrible from Saliba and Ferguson is in. Just about slides a finish under Ramsdale.
Goal! Brighton 1-4 Arsenal
Arsenal back in control! Stunning pass from Odegaard and Martinelli is clean through on goal. Poked finish finds a way through Sanchez.
Goal! Brighton 1-3 Arsenal
Well then! Gross with a lovely pass through to Mitoma, he passes it into the far corner to give the home fans something to cheer. Still plenty of time
Goal! Brighton 0-3 Arsenal
Chance for Brighton to break early in the half, Trossard with space on the left. Poor cross into the box though.
Arsenal straight on the counter, Martinelli drives into the box and fires an effort at goal. Sanchez keeps it out, only parried to Nketiah though and he bundles it in from close range!
Second half
Underway for the second-half at the Amex.
Half-time
Perfect 45 minutes for Arsenal. Saka put them in front with just over a minute played, before Odegaard doubled the lead with a bobbling effort.
The Gunners are set to enter 2023 seven points clear at the top!
Goal! Brighton 0-2 Arsenal
Another lovely Arsenal move, set on their way as Ramsdale plays a brave pass through to Partey. Eventually ends with White winning a corner as his low cross is blocked.
Saka whips it in, falls for Odegaard and his strike bobbles past Sanchez! Not the cleanest of finishes but he doesn’t care.
Goal! Brighton 0-1 Arsenal
Odegaard drives all the way into the box, looks to find Xhaka but it breaks down. Arsenal stay on the attack though, ball in bobbles through to Saka at the back post and he keeps his cool to finish.
Kick Off!
Manchester City and Newcastle second and third in the table respectively… they’ve both drawn this afternoon.
Big boost for Arsenal ahead of this evening’s clash, they can go seven points clear at the top and 13 points above Tottenham in fifth with victory.
Starting XI
One change for Arsenal, as Zinchenko comes in to replace Tierney at left-back. Tomiyasu is fit enough to make the squad, and is alongside the likes of Vieira and Elneny on the bench.
For Brighton, Gilmour starts in midfield with Caicedo out due to suspension. Welbeck is not in the squad against his former club, with Trossard trusted again in that false nine role.
Apex Football News 