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
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:
Nketiah taking his chance
Eddie Nketiah has scored six goals in his last eight Premier League starts. With Gabriel Jesus out injured he is now the main striker for Arsenal and is certainly making the most of his opportunity to lead the line.
Trossard in great form
A 25th Premier League goal for Leandro Trossard would see him move level with Glenn Murray and Neal Maupay as Brighton’s leading scorer in the competition.
He’s been in great form for Brighton this season and will get chances against Arsenal tonight.
A new year treat?
The Gunners have won two of their last seven league matches played on New Year’s Eve (three draws, two defeats), beating Aston Villa 3-0 in 1988 and QPR 1-0 in 2011.
Can they make it three wins tonight?
Will Brighton win at home?
Brighton have lost two of their four home league matches under Roberto De Zerbi (one win, one draw) after avoiding defeat in each of their final seven at the Amex Stadium under Graham Potter (four wins, three draws).
2023 marks the start of football’s next era
As the January window opens, Kylian Mbappe is considering what next. He was already agitating for a move away from Paris Saint-Germain before the World Cup, but the completion of one of Qatar’s sportswashing project has now made him further wonder whether he has fulfilled his time at the other.
Mbappe knows the next steps are crucial to his career. He’ll just be taking them in a completely different world.
This is something that cannot be overstated as 2023 opens. We are not just fully into the post-Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo era, with Mbappe and Erling Haaland already taking over. We are into the era after the Qatar World Cup, with its considerable impact continuing to reshape the game.
2023 marks the start of football’s next era
After the era-defining Qatar World Cup and careers of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the powers behind football’s sportswashing race will turn their attention to the club game as Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland prepare to take centre stage
3pm kick off results
Here’s how the four 3pm Premier League kick offs ended:
Bournemouth 0-2 Crystal Palace
Fulham 2-1 Southampton
Man City 1-1 Everton
Newcastle 0-0 Leeds
Hope for Arsenal
Manchester City have drawn 1-1 with Everton in the 3pm kick off meaning that Arsenal can extend their lead over the Premier League champions to seven points if they defeat Brighton tonight.
Can the Gunners take advantage of City dropping two points against the Toffees?
A potent attack
Arsenal are the only team to have scored in all of their Premier League matches this season.
Their 15-match scoring streak is their longest from the beginning of a league campaign since netting in each of their opening 18 matches in 2007/08.
Mikel Arteta does seem to have found a title winning combination with his Arsenal squad.
Arsenal’s strong defence
Arsenal have kept six clean sheets in their eight Premier League away games this season, more than any other side, equalling their total in 19 matches on the road last term.
The partnership between William Saliba and Gabriel is a huge factor in why Arsenal have been so solid since the start of the season.
Mikel Arteta hopes ‘special’ Arsenal win made ‘secret’ Arsene Wenger return a welcome one
Mikel Arteta hopes Arsene Wenger’s first trip back to the Emirates since leaving the club in 2018 was the first of many future visits by the former Arsenal boss.
Wenger’s appearance capped a brilliant Boxing Day for the Gunners faithful who watched their side complete a 3-1 comeback to beat struggling West Ham.
“There’s only one Arsene Wenger” erupted from the stands after Gabriel Martinelli pulled the hosts ahead in the second half en route to the hosts’ 10th straight top-flight home victory, equalling their all-time record.
Arteta hopes ‘special’ Arsenal win made ‘secret’ Wenger return a welcome one
Wenger’s appearance in the Emirates stands capped a brilliant Boxing Day for the Arsenal faithful.
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