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 16:05 · Michael Jones]

Brighton vs Arsenal prediction

This should be a real test for Mikel Arteta’s Gunners and one which could validate their title credentials yet further. The Seagulls are in fine form though and should enjoy success, particularly at home, so we’ll go for an entertaining score draw.

Brighton 1-1 Arsenal.

[31 December 2022 16:00 · Michael Jones]

Brighton vs Arsenal predicted line-ups

Brighton XI: Sanchez; Veltman, Dunk, Colwill, Estupinan; Gilmour, Gross; March, Lallana, Mitoma; Trossard

Arsenal XI: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Xhaka, Partey; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Nketiah

[31 December 2022 15:55 · Michael Jones]

What is the early team news?

The Seagulls will be without key midfielder Moises Caicedo, who is suspended after collecting five bookings this season, meaning Billy Gilmour could start.

Alexis Mac Allister is not due back until the New Year and Jakub Moder is out injured still.

Roberto De Zerbi is also set to be without Adam Webster and Danny Welbeck.

Mikel Arteta must make do without Gabriel Jesus and Reiss Nelson, but Emile Smith Rowe has now overcome his groin problem following surgery.

Takehiro Tomiyasu is close to a return from a hamstring problem, while Oleksandr Zinchenko has recovered and could displace Kieran Tierney at left-back.

[31 December 2022 15:50 · Michael Jones]

How to watch Brighton vs Arsenal

The match kicks off tonight, Saturday 31 December, at 5:30pm GMT.

Brighton vs Arsenal will be shown live on UK TV through Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League. Coverage begins from 5:00pm GMT.

Customers can stream the game live online via the Sky Sports app and website.

[31 December 2022 15:45 · Michael Jones]

Brighton vs Arsenal

The late Premier League kick off is at 5.30pm and sees Brighton take on Arsenal at the Amex stadium.

The Seagulls are looking to make it two wins from two after defeating Southampton last time out, meanwhile Arsenal hope to maintain their lead at the top of the table.

This match takes place at the conclusion of the 3pm kick offs. Here’s how things stand as half-time approaches in those four games:

Bournemouth 0-2 Crystal Palace

Fulham 1-0 Southampton

Man City 1-0 Everton

Newcastle 0-0 Leeds

[31 December 2022 15:02 · Michael Jones]

‘These things can happen’: Marcus Rashford explains reason for being dropped by Erik ten Hag

Marcus Rashford has revealed he was dropped by Erik ten Hag for Manchester United after arriving late for a team meeting.

The Dutchman caused a surprise by dropping the England forward from the Red Devils side to play Wolves. Ten Hag would only reveal how Rashford’s issue was due to “disciplinary reasons” and that it concerned “our rules”.

But after coming on at half-time for Alejandro Garnacho and scoring the only goal of the game to take United into the top four, Rashford has discussed his predicament.

[31 December 2022 14:56 · Michael Jones]

Rashford’s form continues

Marcus Rashford has scored five match winning goals as a substitute, the joint most in Premier League history. His form is continuing to propel Man Utd up the Premier League table.

They’re now up to fourth.

[31 December 2022 14:52 · Michael Jones]

Super sub Rashford

Marcus Rashford has scored 12 Premier League goals as a substitute with only Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (17) and Javier Hernandez (14) netting more from the bench for Manchester United in the competition.

(REUTERS)

[31 December 2022 14:48 · Michael Jones]

Marcus Rashford gets the drop on Wolves with late winner for Manchester United

Marcus Rashford climbed off the bench and the naughty step to fire Manchester United to victory at Wolves.

The striker, dropped by boss Erik ten Hag for disciplinary reasons, grabbed his 11th goal of the season to send United into the Premier League’s top four with a 1-0 win.

Alejandro Garnacho had earlier wasted a golden chance, while David De Gea kept out Ruben Neves’ stunning free-kick at the other end.

United have now lost just one of their last 15 games since a 6-3 derby humbling to Manchester City in October, with ten Hag making his mark on and off the pitch at Old Trafford.

[31 December 2022 14:45 · Michael Jones]

Wolves vs Man United player ratings: Raphael Varane imperious and Marcus Rashford responds in style

Manchester United had substitute Marcus Rashford to thank as they won 1-0 at Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League.

The forward had been left out of the line-up due to a disciplinary matter but he came off the bench to dart infield and power in the winner with a little over 10 minutes remaining, before his work rate and determination ended in another late strike which was ruled out for handball.

Alejandro Garnacho had the first big chance of the game after intercepting a short pass back to Jose Sa, but the Wolves stopper reacted well.

Antony also had a close-range opportunity, while Wolves were typically blunt despite some good approach play, with Ruben Neves’ free-kick the closest they came to scoring before Rashford won it for the visitors with his late hit.

Here are the player ratings from the game on New Year’s Eve: