The way Arsenal is stifling opposition attacks, the Gunners don’t need to worry about much going forward.
Mikel Arteta’s men went back atop the Premier League table following a strong 3-0 win over Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium on Saturday, getting an early penalty from Bukayo Saka and second-half insurance goals from Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard.
[ MORE: JPW on Kai Havertz as Arsenal’s unexpected hero ]
The Gunners have kept seven clean sheets in 11 Premier League matches to start 2024 and have only more than 0.71 expected goals once, in a March 31 scoreless draw at Manchester City.
Arsenal’s 71 points are one more than Liverpool before the Reds visit Manchester United on Sunday and also one more than Man City following the defending champs defeat of Crystal Palace early Saturday.
WATCH BRIGHTON v ARSENAL FULL MATCH REPLAY
Brighton drew 0-0 at Brentford on Wednesday despite creating so many chances to score and that has been a reoccurring theme for the Seagulls. However, Arsenal deprived the Seagulls of danger for most of Saturday, and Brighton finish the day in 10th with 43 points. Brighton actually slip behind Chelsea, who now have more wins and a better goal differential with their 43 points.
Commanding Gunners give away nothing
Another Arsenal game, another performance that gives almost nothing to the opposition.
The Gunners kept a seventh clean sheet in Premier League play since the calendar turned to 2024, with David Raya only needing to make two saves on a paltry 0.53 xGA.
William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes were massive in the win and having a former center back in Ben White at right back doesn’t hurt. Sit Declan Rice and Jorginho atop and control is virtually assured against most teams.
Brighton might’ve finished with 53% possession but most of that came in the second half. This wasn’t close, and that’s saying something given the venue and the opponent.
Performances like this leave neutrals wondering if only thing that can stop Arsenal is if Liverpool refuse to drop any more points. — Nicholas Mendola
Brighton 0-3 Arsenal player ratings (fotmob.com)
Havertz’s goal and assist have him above the fray, but there were no passengers on Arsenal. High marks go to David Raya, Declan Rice, and Bukayo Saka, while Brighton’s Pervis Estupinan stood out in defeat.
Brighton 0-3 Arsenal player ratings (fotmob.com)
Brighton 0-3 Arsenal player ratings (fotmob.com)
What’s next?
Arsenal host Bayern Munich in a UEFA Champions League quarterfinal first leg at 3pm ET Tuesday, then entertain Aston Villa at 11:30am Sunday.
Brighton wait a week for a 10am ET Saturday match at Burnley.
How to watch Brighton vs Arsenal live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 12:30pm ET Saturday (April 6)
TV Channel: USA Network
Online: Watch live online via NBC.com
Brighton vs Arsenal final score: 0-3
Saka (penalty) 33', Havertz 62', Trossard 86'
Brighton vs Arsenal live updates! - By Joe Prince-Wright at the Amex Stadium
Trossard gets his goal - Brighton 0-3 Arsenal (86th minute)
The Belgian is sprung 1v1 with Verbruggen and makes no mistake, popping it over the onrushing splayed keeper.
3-0, goodnight.
Trossard has a low shot pushed wide
Trossard races clear and his low shot us pushed around the post. Arsenal are cranking through the gears now and they’re totally sucking the life out of this game. This has been a very controlled performance. 20 minutes to go.
Havertz tucks home at the near post - Brighton 0-2 Arsenal (62nd minute)
Saka was down injured and Brighton gave the ball away cheaply. Arsenal played on and played the ball past Saka, who was on the floor, as Jorginho ran in and crossed for Havertz to sweep home. Cue delirium in the away end as the Arsenal fans and players celebrate together. That is what you call being ruthless. Amongst all that Martinelli and Trossard are on for Arsenal and Buonanotte and Pedro are on for Brighton.
Odegaard’s shot pushed over
Arsenal are starting to turn on the magic now. They are knocking it around nicely and Odegaard’s shot is pushed over by Verbruggen. Brighton are still in this and are working so hard, but they don’t quite have that zip about them up top today.
Big chance for Arsenal to go 2-0 up early in the second half
Gabriel Jesus knows he should bury that header. He puffs out his cheeks after heading wide at the back post. Big chance for Arsenal to virtually put this game to bed a few minutes into the second half.
Half time: Brighton 0-1 Arsenal
The first half ends with a chorus of boos from the home fans who feel like they’ve been hard done by. Lamptey’s foul on Jesus for the penalty kick is the center of their frustrations as he did get some of the ball but got a lot of Gabriel Jesus too. It was a very tetchy first half with lots of fouls and no real rhythm about the game.
Arsenal fans in Nashville celebrate Bukayo Saka's penalty to give the Gunners the lead! pic.twitter.com/XXikQ7dtbt
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) April 6, 2024
Enciso forces a top stop from Raya
That is lovely from the young Paraguayan as he cuts inside twice and then curls a lovely shot towards the far corner which David Raya tips wide. Great play from all round.
Saka slots home the penalty after Jesus is clipped - Brighton 0-1 Arsenal (33rd minute)
A lovely diagonal finds Gabriel Jesus and Lamptey is in trouble and clips Jesus as the Brazilian skipped by him. The home fans aren’t happy about it but that is a clear penalty as Lamptey scraped the ball in the same motion that he totally took out Jesus. Saka steps up and sends Verbruggen the wrong way. Arsenal’s fans chant Saka’s name. As it stands, the Gunners are top of the table...
Two big chances for Arsenal after some decent Brighton pressure
After a sustained spell of pressure for Brighton, Bukayo Saka should put Arsenal 1-0 up. He cuts inside on his left and curls towards the far corner but it’s wide. He cannot believe it. Moments later Gabriel Jesus has a thunderous effort pushed wide by Verbruggen. End to end early on. Lovely stuff. Brighton are taking plenty of chances on the ball but that is causing Arsenal a few issues as they press high.
Arsenal should be 1-0 up inside the first minute!
Odegaard whips in a free kick and there are about six Arsenal players in a line, one of whom is Gabriel. Free header. Six yards out. But Gabriel heads it wide. Arsenal should be ahead.
🚨 It is LOUD here at the Amex! What an atmosphere.
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) April 6, 2024
WATCH LIVE + analysis, video highlights & more ➡️ https://t.co/lTl7LCByp4
My thoughts on Brighton vs Arsenal ⤵️ #BHAFC #AFC pic.twitter.com/TETuZcYLr3
Welcome to the South Coast of England!
It is nice and warm, if not a little windy, down here. Everything is set up for a big day in the title race for Arsenal, as Manchester City moved one point ahead of them with their comeback win at Crystal Palace earlier. If Arsenal win today they go top of the table and put the pressure on Liverpool who head to Manchester United tomorrow. This is an intriguing time of the season with Arsenal also having their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal against Bayern Munich to focus but Mikel Arteta has gone pretty much full strength at Brighton with Martinelli on the bench and Zinchenko starting ahead of Kiwior at left back. As for the Seagulls, well, they have nothing to lose and there is a feeling they will go all-out today as Roberto De Zerbi would love another marquee win to kick-start a late surge towards the European spots.
Brighton lineup
Verbruggen; Lamptey, Van Hecke, Dunk, Estupinan; Gross, Baleba, Moder; Enciso, Adingra; Welbeck
Arsenal lineup
Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Jorginho; Saka, Havertz, Jesus
Brighton focus, team news
Brighton have so many quality players and Pascal Gross is the man who knits it altogether. He has had an incredible season in midfield and with Joao Pedro making his eagerly-anticipated return from injury, Brighton’s attack will have extra positivity and cutting edge about it this weekend.
OUT: Kaoru Mitoma (lower back), Solly March (knee), Jack Hinshelwood (ankle), James Milner (thigh), Billy Gilmour (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Evan Ferguson (knock)
Arsenal focus, team news
We could see more rotation from Arteta as Arsenal will have one eye on their huge UEFA Champions League quarterfinal first leg at home against Bayern Munich on Tuesday. It’s likely Rice, Jorginho, Saka and Jesus will all start but the players who came in against Luton did their job superbly
OUT: Jurrien Timber (ACL)
