Brighton vs Arsenal LIVE: Premier League result and reaction as Kai Havertz leads Gunners to top of table
Brighton 0-3 Arsenal: The Gunners return to the top of the Premier League table
Arsenal moved back to the top of the Premier League with a confident display against Brighton at the Amex Stadium. The Gunners won 3-0 away from home and became only the second team this season to defeat the Seagulls in their own back yard.
A tense first half saw Mikel Arteta’s men dominate possession and they could have scored early if Gabriel’s headed effort was on target. Instead, they were forced to wait until the 33rd minute when Gabriel Jesus was taken out inside the penalty area and Bukayo Saka slotted home the resultant spot kick.
The teams went into the break on level terms but Arsenal picked up where they left off. Jorginho found space on the right and slipped a pass into the box. Kai Havertz, proving once again that he can lead the line, tapped home from close range.
It was also Havertz who supplied for the third, releasing former Brighton star Leandro Trossard into space late in the match. Trossard chipped the goalkeeper and ensured there would be no surprises at the end of the game.
Relive the updates from Brighton vs Arsenal in the Premier League below:
HT Brighton 0-1 Arsenal
Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka has scored 14 goals in 29 Premier League outings this season, equalling his most in a single campaign in the competition in nine fewer appearances (14 in 38 games in 2022-23).
HT Brighton 0-1 Arsenal
Half-time! Brighton 0-1 Arsenal
45+7 mins: Just the one goal separating the teams as they head into the half-time break. Bukayo Saka’s calm penalty is the difference though Mikel Arteta will be hoping his team add to that lead in the second half.
Brighton have been decent and a goal for them will change the complexion of the game.
Brighton 0-1 Arsenal
45+3 mins:Both Lewis Dunk and Bart Verbruggen hesitate in dealing with a long throw into the box which allows Kai Havertz to get a boot on the ball but he prods his effort wide of the target.
Brighton 0-1 Arsenal
45 mins: Seven minutes of added time to play at the end of the first half. There’s been a couple of VAR checks and injuries which make up that number.
Brighton 0-1 Arsenal
42 mins: Julio Enciso receives the ball on the edge of the box, cuts inside and rolls the ball onto his right foot. He blazes a shot at goal and forces a leaping save outof David Raya who turns the ball out for a corner.
Brighton 0-1 Arsenal
39 mins: Ben White sprints down the wing to catch up with a ball that was heading out of play. He’s only got time for a first touch cross but it almost comes to Kai Havertz in the box.
Jan-Paul van Hecke is aware enough to squeeze ahead of the forward and turns the ball behind for a corner which then comes to nothing for Arsenal.
Brighton 0-1 Arsenal
36 mins: That goal will settle the Gunners down massively. Everytime they go in front Arsenal tend to relax and play slick, confident football.
Brighton have a free kick though that Pascal Gross flicks into the box. Gabriel wins the initial ball and Saka completes the clearance with a punt into the stands.
GOAL! Brighton 0-1 Arsenal (Saka, 33’)⚽️
33 mins: The penalty stands and it’s Bukayo Saka who’s going to take it.
He’s calm and rolls the ball into the bottom left corner as Bart Verbruggen leaps the opposite way. The Gunners lead now!
Brighton 0-0 Arsenal
31 mins: Penalty to Arsenal!
Gabriel Jesus is given the ball on the left wing and dances into the penalty area. A back-tracking Tariq Lamptey takes a good chunk of the winger who falls to ground and the referee points straight to the spot.
VAR is looking at the incident...
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