Arteta’s top Gunners go seven points clear with win over Brighton

Mueez Ajao

– Arsenal opened up a seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League table as they strolled to a 4-2 victory away at Brighton & Hove Albion.

– Bukayo Saka opened the scoring in the second minute while Martin Odegaard, Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Martinelli all scored to ensure a fairly routine win for Mikel Arteta’s side despite goals from Kaoru Mitoma and 18-year-old Evan Ferguson and some nervy moments late on.

– It meant Arsenal took full advantage of earlier slip-ups from their closest rivals Manchester City and Newcastle United, who both drew their games on Saturday.

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– The visitors made the perfect start with barely a minute played as Saka coolly side-footed past Robert Sanchez after a shot from Martinelli was deflected into the England winger’s path.

– Odegaard doubled Arsenal’s lead with a bouncing left-footed finish from a corner in the 39th minute which ensured his team went into half-time in a comfortable position.

– And they made their dominance felt three minutes after the break when Nketiah prodded past Sanchez after the Brighton keeper got a hand to a shot from Martinelli.

– Arsenal looked to be cruising to victory, but Mitoma gave them food for thought in the 65th minute when he was sent through by Pascal Gross and sent a low finish past Aaron Ramsdale.

– Martinelli restored Arsenal’s cushion when he dashed through in the 71st minute before slotting past Sanchez following an incisive pass from Odegaard, before Ferguson became Brighton’s youngest Premier League goalscorer.

– A right-footed finish from Mitoma in the 89th minute caused a late scare for Arsenal, but the goal was ruled offside after a VAR review.