LONDON – Arsenal ascended to the top of the Premier League standings following a masterful 2-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, marked by second-half goals from Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz. This win also halted Brighton’s 32-match scoring run, a streak unbroken since February.
Arsenal, maintaining an unchanged lineup for the first time this season, exhibited a vibrant start. Bukayo Saka, the young starlet, consistently challenged veteran James Milner, who marked his 40th appearance against the Gunners. Saka’s energetic performance set the tone early on, testing Brighton’s defense with his pace and agility.
The Gunners’ initial threat materialized through Saka’s effort, drawing a save from Bart Verbruggen. Martin Odegaard followed suit, narrowly missing the target with a curving left-footed strike.
Brighton faced adversity as Joel Veltman exited with a suspected knee injury before the half-hour mark. Arsenal continued to press, with Odegaard and Saka orchestrating a move that culminated in Gabriel Martinelli firing over the bar. Verbruggen and Jan Paul van Hecke stood resilient against Arsenal’s onslaught, keeping the scoreline level at the break.
After halftime, Brighton’s strategy to build from the back backfired, setting the stage for Arsenal’s breakthrough in the 53rd minute. A misplaced pass by Verbruggen was intercepted, leading to a corner. Saka’s delivery was inadvertently deflected by Van Hecke, allowing Gabriel Jesus to nod home his third league goal at the far post.
Brighton’s defensive woes continued as they failed to register a clean sheet in their last 21 Premier League outings. Arsenal, meanwhile, sought to double their advantage, with Ben White’s header nearly finding the net and Odegaard constantly troubling the Brighton keeper.
Brighton almost found an equalizer against the flow of the game, with Pascal Gross narrowly missing from close range after connecting with Kaoru Mitoma’s cross.
The decisive moment arrived in the 87th minute when substitute Eddie Nketiah’s dynamic run set up Havertz, who confidently beat Verbruggen. This marked Havertz’s first home goal and fourth in all competitions this season.
The result propels Arsenal to 39 points, surpassing rivals Liverpool, who face Manchester United later. Brighton’s commendable scoring streak comes to an abrupt end, dropping them to ninth place with 26 points.
Arsenal’s performance today was a blend of tactical discipline and creative flair, showcasing their title credentials. As the season progresses, the Gunners’ consistency and ability to overcome challenging opponents like Brighton will be crucial in their pursuit of Premier League glory.
