Arsenal hold off late Brighton surge to edge two points clear of City

Arsenal reclaimed top spot in the Premier League with a 2-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion that initially looked routine before turning into a test of nerve and resilience.

Mikel Arteta’s side controlled the contest almost entirely in the first half, dominating possession and territory while pinning Brighton deep inside their own half.

That authority was reflected in the opening goal, which came after Arsenal pressed high and capitalised on a loose Brighton goal-kick, allowing Bukayo Saka to tee up Martin Odegaard for a composed finish from the edge of the box.

Odegaard’s strike, his first league goal of the season, gave Arsenal a deserved lead that barely hinted at the imbalance between the sides.

By half-time, Arsenal had recorded 15 shots while Brighton failed to register a single effort, making the one-goal margin feel misleading.

The hosts appeared to settle the contest early in the second half when Declan Rice’s corner caused panic in the Brighton area and Georginio Rutter inadvertently turned the ball into his own net.

At 2-0, the match seemed to be drifting comfortably towards an Arsenal victory, with Brighton offering little threat and struggling to cope with Arsenal’s movement in wide areas.

However, the game shifted unexpectedly just after the hour mark when Brighton scored with their first meaningful attack of the afternoon.

Yasin Ayari’s low drive struck the post and Diego Gomez reacted quickest to convert the rebound, giving the visitors belief and changing the atmosphere inside the stadium.

Arsenal suddenly found themselves under pressure, with Brighton pushing forward and committing bodies in search of an unlikely equaliser.

David Raya was required to produce a superb save to deny Yankuba Minteh’s curling effort, while Mats Wieffer headed over from close range as Brighton enjoyed their best spell.

With injuries forcing positional adjustments across the back line, Arsenal were made to dig deep and manage the closing stages with composure.

Declan Rice, operating at right-back, was again influential in restoring control and breaking up Brighton’s late momentum.

Despite the nervy finish, Arsenal saw out the match and secured three points that moved them back to the summit of the table.

It was a win that showcased both their attacking authority and their growing ability to survive difficult moments, traits that could prove decisive as the title race intensifies.

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