Arsenal moved seven factors clear on the prime of the Premier League desk after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion on the south coast.
The one objective of the match got here within the eighth minute via Bukayo Saka. His shot took a slight spark off Carlos Baleba and wrong-footed goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen earlier than going into the online.
The end result was essential for Arsenal as Manchester Metropolis had been held to a 2-2 draw by Nottingham Forest earlier within the day. The Gunners at the moment are seven factors clear, though they’ve performed one sport extra.
Brighton managed a lot of the match and had 60 per cent of the ball. They began strongly and nearly scored after two minutes when David Raya handed the ball straight to Baleba. His chip beat the keeper, however Gabriel cleared the ball off the road.
Arsenal defended very properly regardless of lacking injured defender William Saliba. Gabriel and Piero Hincapie stood agency on the again and stopped Brighton from discovering a means via. Raya additionally made an essential save from Georginio Rutter within the second half.
Brighton pushed ahead for a lot of the sport however managed only some clear possibilities. The house followers had been sad as they felt Arsenal wasted time within the closing phases.
Substitute Kai Havertz almost made it 2-0, however his effort was saved by Verbruggen. Arsenal then needed to keep calm within the last minutes earlier than the referee blew the ultimate whistle.
When information got here that Manchester Metropolis had drawn their match, Arsenal’s travelling supporters celebrated loudly as their crew strengthened their place on the prime of the desk.
