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 13:11 · Michael Jones]

Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

38 mins: Ruben Neves is left a little worse for wear after being clattered by Casemiro’s shoulder in the middle of the pitch. The Wolves fans are in uproar over the challenge but the referee keeps his cards in his pockets.

I don’t think Casemiro will get away with another heavy tackle.

[31 December 2022 13:08 · Michael Jones]

Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

35 mins: Nearly! A lovely ball from Ruben Neves gets Wolves up the pitch as Diego Costa brings the ball under control. He decides not to attempt to get past Aaron Wan-Bissaka and lays the ball across to Daniel Podence.

Podence lifts a high cross to the back post where Hwang Hee-Chan arrives and volleys an effort at goal but Casemiro is back in time to make the block.

[31 December 2022 13:04 · Michael Jones]

Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

32 mins: Wolves send a ball into the United box and there’s a clash of heads between Matheus Nunes and Tyrell Malacia as both men look to win possession.

The Man Utd physios are a bit premature in coming onto the pitch as Malacia is back on his feet quickly but they decide to give him a check up anyway which irks the Wolves supporters in attendance.

[31 December 2022 13:02 · Michael Jones]

Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

29 mins: Man Utd switch the ball over to Antony on the right and he plays it forward to match Fernandes’ cutting run.

Fernandes then curls a low pass into the box towards Anthony Martial but Nathan Collins lunges at the ball and knocks it away from the striker before he can shoot!

[31 December 2022 12:57 · Michael Jones]

Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

26 mins: Great defending! Daniel Podence receives the ball on the edge of the United penalty area and slips a through ball into the box for Diego Costa.

Costa lays it off to Joao Moutinho who looks to turn it towards goal only for Aaron Wan-Bissaka to come lunging in to make a brilliant block.

[31 December 2022 12:55 · Michael Jones]

Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

23 mins: Close! Antony and Wan-Bissaka seem to have a good understanding with each other. They combine again to bring the ball down the right before Antony charges into the box.

He gets a shot away and a deflection off Ruben Neves almost does for Jose Sa who has to stop his move and leap back in the opposite direction to keep the ball out.

[31 December 2022 12:53 · Michael Jones]

Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

20 mins: Manchester United are looking to take control of proceedings. They’re bossing the ball and playing at a nice tempo.

Christian Eriksen switches the play out to Antony on the right but both he and Aaron Wan-Bissaka run into trouble and are forced to retreat.

[31 December 2022 12:49 · Michael Jones]

Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

16 mins: Save! Manchester United should be in front!

Christian Eriksen threads a pass through the lines towards Alejandro Garnacho but Nelson Semedo intercepts. He then attempts to knock the ball back to Jose Sa but underhits the pass allowing Garnacho to get to the loose ball first.

He shoots but Sa is out quickly to close him down and makes a sharp save with his body.

[31 December 2022 12:46 · Michael Jones]

Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

15 mins: Wolves are seeing a lot of space out wide but Manchester United are compact and working hard to get back into their defensive shape when they lose possession.

[31 December 2022 12:43 · Michael Jones]

Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

12 mins: Aaron Wan-Bissaka is drawn inside by the run of Hwang Hee-Chan which allows Hugo Bueno to get forward on the overlap down the Wolves left wing. He looks to cross one into the middle but Raphael Varane is well placed to turn the ball behind.

Manchester United then defend the resultant corner without too much trouble.