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 17:53 · Michael Jones]

Brighton 0-1 Arsenal

21 mins: What a chance! It’s brilliant work from Arsenal as Zinchenko gives the ball to Martinelli on the left. He dribbles into the box before passing to Odegaard who threads a dainty pass into the six-yard box.

Martinelli continues his run and collects the ball but instead of shooting looks to set up Nketiah and gives the ball away to Levi Colwill.

[31 December 2022 17:50 · Michael Jones]

Brighton 0-1 Arsenal

18 mins: It’s been a good response from Brighton. They’ve stepped up the pitch and are whipping crosses into the box. Gabriel and Saliba have been kept busy with Arsenal finding it difficult to get up the pitch.

On the counter-attack Kaoru Mitoma is rapid and outpaces Bukayo Saka with a run up the pitch. He starts to run out of gas and miscues a pass into the box which Gabriel safely marshalls out of play.

[31 December 2022 17:47 · Michael Jones]

Brighton 0-1 Arsenal

15 mins: Chance! Tariq Lamptey bombs forward on the right wing and cuts a pass into the box for Adam Lallana.

He lays the ball off to Leandro Trossard who curls one towards the far bottom corner and forces Aaron Ramsdale to tip the bobbling ball behind for a corner!

[31 December 2022 17:45 · Michael Jones]

Brighton 0-1 Arsenal

13 mins: Chance! A quick throw in from Solly March sees him send the ball up to Leandro Trossard who recovers the ball under pressure then slides it back to March who makes a run inside from the right.

He carries the ball to the edge of the box and hits one but Gabriel gets in the way and Arsenal clear their lines.

[31 December 2022 17:41 · Michael Jones]

Brighton 0-1 Arsenal

10 mins: After just 66 seconds, Bukayo Saka has scored Arsenal’s earliest away goal in the Premier League since May 2013, when Theo Walcott netted after just 20 seconds against QPR.

(Action Images via Reuters)

[31 December 2022 17:39 · Michael Jones]

Brighton 0-1 Arsenal

8 mins: Eddie Nketiah now has his first sight at goal. Arsenal slide a pass into the penalty area where he spins around the nearest defender then hits a right-footed effort wide of the post.

This has been a blistering start from Arsenal. As they have all season, they’re looking hungry for goals.

[31 December 2022 17:37 · Michael Jones]

Brighton 0-1 Arsenal

5 mins: Arsenal continue to drive forward with Oleksandr Zinchenko bringing the ball forward before letting fly and forcing Robert Sanchez into a fingertip save.

The resultant corner is played short by Martinelli but his cross is blocked when he eventually does send the ball in.

[31 December 2022 17:33 · Michael Jones]

GOAL! Brighton 0-1 Arsenal (Saka, 2’)⚽️

2 mins: What a start! Oleksandr Zinchenko wins the ball back as Brighton look to counter-attack then quickly sends it over to Gabriel Martinelli on the left wing.

He carries the ball into the box the flicks one over to the back post. A deflection brings the ball perfectly to Bukayo Saka who controls it then smashes a half-volley into the back of the net!

[31 December 2022 17:32 · Michael Jones]

Kick off: Brighton 0-0 Arsenal

Arsenal get the match started with the knowledge that they will start 2023 as the Premier League leaders. The Gunners can extend the gap at the top of the table to seven points if they beat Brighton tonight but Manchester City will be hoping that the Seagulls do them a favour.

[31 December 2022 17:28 · Michael Jones]

Brighton vs Arsenal

Here come the teams.

The players make their way out onto the pitch at the Amex stadium. Brighton have a decent record against Arsenal but the Gunners are flying this season and will be determined to collect all three points tonight.