"Sensational": Mikel Arteta blown away by £27m Arsenal star after 2-1 win vs Brighton

Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League after a 2-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion at the Emirates Stadium yesterday.

The Gunners had a dominant first-half display, and they should have easily scored more than one goal with the chances that were created.

Martin Odegaard opened the scoring in the 14th minute with his first goal of the campaign.

A Brighton own goal doubled the club’s advantage early in the second half, but the Seagulls eventually managed to get back into the contest.

Yasin Ayari’s effort bounced off the woodwork to Diego Gomez to reduce the deficit in the 64th minute.

Arsenal had chances to extend the lead during the second half, but could have easily dropped points, if not for David Raya’s world-class save.

Yankuba Minteh’s curling effort looked destined to find the back of the net, but Raya came up with a sensational fingertip save to deny him.

Speaking after the 2-1 win, manager Mikel Arteta told Sky Sports (via BBC Sport): “It was sensational. I had a great angle on it. That’s what we need from players, we need those performances in the key moments.”

The £27 million signing had a comfortable game against the Seagulls until his stupendous save. It proved crucial for Arsenal to stay top of the standings.

Raya did not keep his 10th clean sheet of the league campaign, but his vital contribution yesterday secured a third straight league win for the Gunners.

The club are presently two and three points ahead of Manchester City and Aston Villa in the table respectively and host the latter at the Emirates on Tuesday night.

Villa are the in-form team at the moment, with 11 straight wins across all competitions. They have beaten Manchester United and Chelsea in their last two matches.

Unai Emery’s side got the better of Arsenal with a last-second winner at Villa Park. The Gunners have the opportunity to avenge that result in two days’ time.

Ahead of the encounter, Villa will be without two key players in Matty Cash and Boubacar Kamara, who are suspended after their fifth yellow cards of the league season.

Arsenal will be eyeing their first win over Villa in three attempts, and their first at the Emirates since August 2022, when Gabriel Martinelli scored a late winner (2-1).

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

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