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 14:13 · Michael Jones]

GOAL! Wolves 0-2 Man Utd (Rashford, 84’)⚽️

84 mins: Rashford has another one! He makes a fine run into the box as the ball gets slipped through to him. Rashford drills one low at Jose Sa who gets an initial block in.

The ball rebounds back at Rashford, hits him and bounces over the line. VAR is checking it though...

[31 December 2022 14:11 · Michael Jones]

Wolves 0-1 Man Utd

82 mins: Casemiro wins the ball back in the middle of the pitch but takes out Nunes in the process. The referee plays on and the Wolves fans are going mad that the challenge wasn’t given as a foul.

[31 December 2022 14:09 · Michael Jones]

Wolves 0-1 Man Utd

79 mins: Raul Jimenez comes on for the final 10 minutes or so replacing Daniel Podence for Wolves. Can the striker get Wolves back on level terms?

Anthony Martial is taken off with Donny van de Beek brought on for Man Utd.

[31 December 2022 14:05 · Michael Jones]

GOAL! Wolves 0-1 Man Utd (Rashford, 76’)⚽️

76 mins: Marcus Rashford again! The in-form forward for Manchester United sends them in front through a fine move from the left.

Tyrell Malacia sends the ball up to Rashford who runs at the Wolves defence and goes past two defenders before giving the ball to Bruno Fernandes and continuing his run into the penalty are.

Fernandes returns the ball to Rashford who shrugs off Jonny before whipping a shot into the back of the net!

[31 December 2022 14:04 · Michael Jones]

Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

75 mins: Manchester United are trying to run the ball into the box but there is no space to run into. Wolves now have three centre-backs on the pitch so they’re covered for cross into the middle as well.

It’s going to take a bit of ingenuity to breakdown this Wolves team.

[31 December 2022 14:01 · Michael Jones]

Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

72 mins: Rayan Ait-Nouri and Toti are introduced for Wolves replacing Joao Moutinho and Hugo Bueno. Matheus Nunes will play one for now.

Fred hacks down an enterprising Nathan Collins and Wolves win another free kick in a dangerous area. Ruben Neves sets himself to take on David De Gea again but this time drills his shot into the wall.

[31 December 2022 13:59 · Michael Jones]

Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

69 mins: Matheus Nunes seems to have injured his knee and is hobbling off the pitch following poor tackle in the middle of the pitch.

There’s going to be a few minutes of stoppage time added on at the end of this one.

[31 December 2022 13:56 · Michael Jones]

Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

66 mins: Hwang Hee-Chan hits Fred with a firm challenge but wins the ball and leaves the Man Utd midfielder in a heap on the floor. Bruno Fernandes switches the play and sends the ball over to Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

He gives it to Antony who flicks the ball to Casemiro. With few options available Casemiro has a dart with a volley from outside the box but fires the effort wide of the far post.

[31 December 2022 13:51 · Michael Jones]

Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

63 mins: Erik ten Hag makes another change and introduces Fred to replace Christian Eriksen. The Dane hasn’t had the space to fully utilise his talents this afternoon and Fred provides a more direct option for Manchester United.

[31 December 2022 13:49 · Michael Jones]

Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

60 mins: Casemiro dinks a chipped pass into the penalty area for Bruno Fernandes who makes a run in behind. He brings the ball under control then fizzes one wide of the target.

The offside flag goes up and Fernandes breathes a sigh of relief after missing the chance.