Arsenal vs Brighton LIVE: Latest score, goals and updates as Glenn Murray penalty all but ends Gunners’ top four hopes
Latest LIVE action from the Emirates Stadium
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Follow latest live coverage as Arsenal host Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League.
The Gunners need a response after defeat to Crystal Palace a week ago but will be boosted by Tottenham's loss to Bournemouth on Saturday as well as their own victory over Valencia in the Europa League semi-finals on Thursday. They got the perfect start as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored from the spot after Nacho Monreal was fouled in the box.
Solly March's fine run down the left sees him dash into the box and Granit Xhaka tugs him back to concede a penalty. Glenn Murray calmly slots home to draw Brighton level.
With a three-point gap between themselves and Tottenham in fourth, who hold a superior goal difference, their route to the Champions League looks to be purely down to winning the Europa League.
We'll have all the latest throughout the afternoon here.
Please allow a moment for the live blog to load
38 minutes
Alexandre Lacazette latches on in behind but can't get the ball under control quickly enough to surge away and shoot, and his support isn't there quickly enough to keep the threat alive.
Granit Xhaka then plays the ball straight out of play.
39 minutes
Mat Ryan again!
Quick to his left earlier and now quick to his right, down to turn Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's effort away.
42 minutes
Arsenal haven't looked as if they are going to cut the Brighton defence to ribbons at any point, but they are managing to get beyond the visiting side often enough.
Mesut Özil deliciously threads one through to Alexandre Lacazette, who takes and spins in one movement as if twirling to show off a new dress, Lewis Dunk not fooled by the sharp footwork and toeing the ball from the Frenchman''s position.
45 minutes
Firm from Henrikh Mkhitaryan with the shot, firm from Mathew Ryan gain with the save, beating the effort away, not foxed by the swerve of the crisply-hit ball.
Into stoppage time. Two added minutes.
45 + 2 minutes
A booking for Pascal Gross, remarkably a first of the season for the midfielder, as he holds back Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
That'll be that...
Just the one goal in the half, then, and a somewhat controversial one at that. It looked a penalty live, and the first couple of replays seemed to support Anthony Taylor's decision, but more angles were found and the contact between Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Nacho Monreal looked minimal at best. Taylor could not have been better positioned, but Brighton fans will certainly argue it was a harsh one.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang never looked like missing from twelve yards, going past the twenty goal mark in the Premier League mark in an excellent sophomore season.
And the rest of the half was a bright enough affair, both teams looking capable of threatening, Arsenal's extra quality in the final third apparent as they created the clearer chances.
Mat Ryan made two or three outstanding saves to keep Brighton in touch, but Arsenal will be confident of scoring at least one more and Chris Hughton's side have had such trouble finding the net during the second half of the season that you'd think a second for the hosts would seal it.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments