Arsenal beat Brighton 2-0 at Emirates Stadium on Sunday as Mikel Arteta’s men bounced back from their defeat at Aston Villa last weekend.
Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz struck in the second half as the Gunners dominated Brighton from start to finish and deservedly won.
Arsenal had wasted chances galore after some incredible attacking play but other than a superb chance for Pascal Gross when the score was 1-0, Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton barely threatened in attack.
With the win Arsenal move on to 39 points for the season, as they sit top of the table and one point ahead of Liverpool ahead of their showdown next weekend. Brighton remain on 26 points as their Europa League exploits caught up with the Seagulls’ injury-hit squad.
Gunners ooze class as Jesus, Havertz stand up
This was a brilliant display from Arsenal as they carved Brighton open time and time again and two players who have been criticized for not finishing enough did the damage. With lots of chat about Ivan Toney potentially coming in this January, Jesus put in a brilliant center forward display. He never gave Brighton a moment to rest and stopped them playing out from the back, then took his goal really well. And as for Havertz, he drifted around in a more attacking role in midfield and was always an option and he finished calmly when played clean through as his confidence levels continue to rise. Arsenal may still need to add a new forward to complete this squad but Jesus and Havertz proved their worth and the midfield (Declan Rice was majestic again) and defense is now set. They stopped Brighton registering a single shot on goal in the first half which is the first time that’s happened since De Zerbi arrived 49 games ago. They also ended Brighton’s run of 32-straight games of scoring so defensively they are now very solid. But the main thing that will stop Arsenal from winning the Premier League title this season is scoring regularly and it’s now up to Jesus and Havertz (probably their two best finishers) to kick on over the festive period. If they do that, maybe Arsenal don’t need to buy a new No. 9 in January and maybe this is their year?
Arsenal vs Brighton player ratings
Via our friends at FotMob.com, you can see the Gunners were rampant and the quartet of Saka, Martinelli, Odegaard and Jesus were incredible. Defensively they were super solid and never really allowed Brighton to get in the game.
What’s next?
Arsenal face Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday, Dec. 23 in a huge game. Brighton head to bitter rivals Crystal Palace on Thursday, Dec. 21.
How to watch Arsenal vs Brighton live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 9am ET, Sunday (Dec. 17)
TV Channel: USA Network
Online: Watch online via NBCSports.com
Arsenal vs Brighton live updates! - By Joe Prince-Wright
Full time: Arsenal 2-0 Brighton
Totally dominant performance from Arsenal and they thoroughly deserved that win. Excellent from start to finish and Brighton just couldn’t match Arsenal’s intensity.
Kai Havertz scores to seal it - Arsenal 2-0 Brighton (87th minute)
That should do it. Eddie Nketiah plays in Havertz and he clips home a lovely finish into the far corner and that should seal the win for Arsenal.
Brighton should equalize
After being dominated for the entire game, Brighton should be level. Mitoma crosses after beating Ben White and Gross should score from inside the six yard box. What a miss and Arsenal are so lucky.
Odegaard denied by Verbruggen
Declan Rice wins the ball back again and launches a counter as Odegaard runs at goal and smashes on target but Verbruggen saves well.
Gabriel Jesus heads home and Arsenal finally lead - Arsenal 1-0 Brighton (53rd minute)
Arsenal finally break through! After sustained pressure a corner is flicked on, Brighton are all over the place and Gabriel Jesus heads home at the back post. Arsenal deservedly ahead.
Wave after wave of Arsenal attacks
The second half has so far been Brighton pressured into giving the ball away, Arsenal looking like they’re about to score and then taking an extra touch or pass as the chance is wasted.
Half time: Arsenal 0-0 Brighton
Arsenal have totally dominated that first half but Saka, Martinelli and Jesus just haven’t been able to apply the finishing touch. Brighton didn’t have a shot at goal until the 49th minute and the Seagulls are struggling to keep the ball.
Arsenal should be 1-0 up
Martin Odegaard with an incredible pass to Saka, he cuts it back for Martinelli and he clips his shot over the bar as Brighton just get enough pressure on the ball. Moments later Odegaard then plays a brilliant pass to Martinelli and his shot at the near post is saved and then Brighton block it and clear.
Gunners dominating, especially down their right flank
Bukayo Saka is having a lovely Sunday afternoon as he keeps strolling past veteran James Milner who is playing out of position at left back due to all of Brighton’s injuries. On two occasions now Arsenal can’t quite get the finishing touch after Saka burst clear. The Gunners have set the tone and Brighton are struggling to get on the ball as Martin Odegaard curls a shot just wide.
Arsenal lineup
Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Rice, Odegaard, Havertz; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
Brighton lineup
Verbruggen; Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, Milner; Gilmour, Gross; Adingra, Lallana, Mitoma; Ferguson
Arsenal focus, team news
OUT: Thomas Partey (thigh), Jurrien Timber (torn ACL - out for season), Fabio Vieira (hip), Takehiro Tomiyasu (calf), Mohamed Elneny (thigh)
Brighton focus, team news
OUT: Ansu Fati (thigh), Julio Enciso (knee), Tariq Lamptey (thigh), Solly March (knee), Pervis Estupinan (thigh), Adam Webster (knock)
