A 2-1 victory at the Emirates extends home winning streak and answers Manchester City’s earlier challenge.
Arsenal delivered a prompt and gritty response to the pressure from their title rivals on Saturday, edging past Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 to reclaim top spot in the Premier League. The victory, their sixth consecutive league win at home, required defensive resolve after a late Brighton surge threatened to spoil the afternoon.
The Gunners capitalized on an early Brighton error to take control. A poor goal-kick from Bart Verbruggen was seized upon, leading to a move finished emphatically by captain Martin Ødegaard, who drilled home his first goal of the season from the edge of the box.
“It was a weight off, for sure,” Ødegaard admitted after the match. “We started with good intensity and took our chance. That was important.”
Arsenal’s lead was doubled just after halftime through misfortune for the visitors, as Georginio Rutter turned Declan Rice’s dangerous corner into his own net. The game seemed secure until Diego Gomez pounced on a rebound in the 64th minute, setting up a tense finale.
Brighton, energized by the goal, pressed for an equalizer, forcing a spectacular full-stretch save from David Raya to deny Yankuba Minteh. The Gunners held firm through a nervy final period to secure the vital three points.
“We showed another side today,” said manager Mikel Arteta. “It’s not always going to be fluid. You have to suffer, you have to defend your box with passion, and the boys did that. These are the wins that build character.”
The result extends Brighton’s winless run to five matches, dropping them to 12th. For Arsenal, it marks a third straight league victory by a single goal, a testament to their newfound resilience as they head into the new year at the summit.
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