Brighton vs Arsenal LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction as Gunners extend lead at the top

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal take on Brighton with hopes of maintaining their lead at the top of the Premier League table

Arteta insists potential new Arsenal striker needs to be the right fit

Premier League leaders Arsenal moved seven points clear at the top going into the new year after a glorious Gabriel Martinelli goal capped a thrilling 4-2 victory at Brighton.

Goals from Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Eddie Nketiah set the Gunners on course for a fifth consecutive top-flight success to cement their status as serious title contenders.

Kaoru Mitoma reduced Albion’s deficit 25 minutes from time before Martinelli, aided by a wonderful Odegaard assist, raced half the length of the pitch to stylishly restore the three-goal advantage.

Seagulls substitute Evan Ferguson increased the tension going into the final stages by claiming his first Premier League goal, while Mitoma thought he had set up a grandstand finish, only for his 89th-minute strike to be disallowed for offside.

Despite the unwanted anxiety of the late drama, the in-form visitors held on to celebrate an impressive victory and take a healthy advantage into 2023.

Follow all the reaction from Brighton vs Arsenal in the Premier League:

Brighton vs Arsenal

• Roberto De Zerbi’s men are looking to record back-to-back wins after victory over Southampton
• Arsenal are guaranteed to start 2023 top of the table but will want to maintain their lead over rivals
• 90’ NO GOAL! - Mitoma’s effort ruled out for offside (BHA 2-4 ARS)
• 77’ GOAL! - Ferguson scores first Premier League goal (BHA 2-4 ARS)
• 71’ GOAL! - Martinelli restores Arsenal’s three goal lead (BHA 1-4 ARS)
• 65’ GOAL! - Mitoma pulls one back for Brighton (BHA 1-3 ARS)
• 57’ SAVE! - Gabriel’s volley is kept out by Sanchez (BHA 0-3 ARS)
• 47’ GOAL! - Nketiah taps home Martinelli’s blocked shot early in second half (BHA 0-3 ARS)
• 39’ GOAL! - Odegaard adds a second from a corner (BHA 0-2 ARS)
• 27’ SAVE! - Ramsdale tips Trossard’s long range effort over the bar (BHA 0-1 ARS)
• 15’ CHANCE! - Trossard’s effort turned wide by Ramsdale (BHA 0-1 ARS)
• 2’ GOAL! - Saka blasts Arsenal ahead early on (BHA 0-1 ARS)

[31 December 2022 18:24 · Michael Jones]

HT Brighton 0-2 Arsenal

(Action Images via Reuters)

(Getty Images)

(REUTERS)

[31 December 2022 18:20 · Michael Jones]

Half-time: Brighton 0-2 Arsenal

45+3 mins: The whistle goes to signal the halfway point of this encounter between Brighton and Arsenal.

Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard have given Arsenal a two-goal cushion in the game, will they go on to win or can Brighton mount a comeback?

[31 December 2022 18:18 · Michael Jones]

Brighton 0-2 Arsenal

45 mins: Three minutes of added time to play at the end of the first half. Thomas Partey catches Adam Lallana in the middle of the pitch and collects a yellow card.

[31 December 2022 18:14 · Michael Jones]

Brighton 0-2 Arsenal

42 mins: Arsenal are storming into 2023 with a comfortable lead at the Amex Stadium and a comfortable lead at the top of the Premier League table.

As it stands they’re moving seven points clear of Manchester City. Can Brighton make a comeback?

[31 December 2022 18:10 · Michael Jones]

GOAL! Brighton 0-2 Arsenal (Odegaard, 39’)⚽️

39 mins: What a finish! The corner ball is whipped into the box by Bukayo Saka and Billy Gilmour rises to get his head to the ball. He knocks it out as far as Martin Odegaard who puts it onto his left foot and drills and shot into the ground.

The ball bounces up and over the Brighton defenders clustered in the box before dipping in time to drop under the crossbar and finish in the back of the net!

[31 December 2022 18:09 · Michael Jones]

Brighton 0-1 Arsenal

36 mins: Both Mikel Arteta and Roberto De Zerbi are very animated on the sidelines. Aaron Ramsdale has signalled over to his manager and grabbed hold of his hamstring which could be a bad sign for the Arsenal goalkeeper.

Ben White makes an overlapping run down the right for the Gunners and wins them a corner when his cutback is turned behind.

[31 December 2022 18:04 · Michael Jones]

Brighton 0-1 Arsenal

33 mins: Ouch! Ben White is caught slightly out of position and tries to make up for it by sliding into a tackle on Pervis Estupinan. He cleans out the Brighton left-back who’s left rolling around on the floor.

Brighton are awarded a free kick but White is spared a yellow card.

[31 December 2022 18:01 · Michael Jones]

Brighton 0-1 Arsenal

30 mins: Billy Gilmour and Pervis Estupinan link up on the left wing to carry the ball up alongside the Arsenal box. It’s the left-back who lifts a cross into the middle but his delivery comes too close to Aaron Ramsdale who plucks the ball out of the air.

At the other end of the pitch Gabriel Martinelli gets into a position to shoot but his effort is blocked by the lunging Tariq Lamptey.

[31 December 2022 17:58 · Michael Jones]

Brighton 0-1 Arsenal

27 mins: A quick counter from Solly March sees him bring the ball into the right side of the box and square one into the middle. A poor clearance sees the ball come out to Leandro Trossard who shoots and forces a fingertip save out of Aaron Ramsdale!

[31 December 2022 17:55 · Michael Jones]

Brighton 0-1 Arsenal

24 mins: Bukayo Saka times his run in behind beautifully and meets Thomas Partey’s threaded through ball. He brings it into the box from the right and looks to set up a teammate meaning Lewis Dunk can get back and poke the ball out for a corner.

From the corner there’s a scramble to get to the aerial ball. It drops to Partey who then lifts a snapshot high and wide.