Lacazette gem sinks Seagulls
ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE took just 21 seconds after climbing off the bench as a second-half sub to secure back-to-back victories for Arsenal with the coolest of finishes. But this triumph was more about the team’s spirit and tenacity than Lacazette’s scoring prowess. The Boxing Day win over Chelsea came as a major pick-me-up for Mikel Arteta and his previously forlorn team, but it would have meant nothing without another step forward here. Finally, a hint of consistency, even just for two games. Brighton’s need for victory here was arguably even more profound. Graham Potter’s side had won just once in 14 games and this defeat will have done nothing to ease concerns they are heading for another relegation fight. Even after Saturday’s morale boosting win, however, Arsenal initially looked like a team devoid of confidence and ideas in attack. A deflected Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang effort and a Granit Xhaka free-kick that sailed over the bar were their best moments of a dour first half. Brighton grew into the game as Alexis MacAllister and Alireza Jahanbakhsh wasted their most promising openings. Arsenal sprang into action in the second half. Bukayo Saka’s pinpoint low cross from Xhaka’s pass appeared to leave Aubameyang with the simplest task of slotting past Robert Sanchez from five yards — but the Brighton keeper flung out his right leg to divert the ball over the bar. Xhaka then fired narrowly over with time and space inside the area and Aubameyang blazed another shot high of the target. Brighton’s Davy Propper then saw his fierce near-post effort saved by Bernd Leno. The stop proved crucial as the Gunners stormed up the other end to take the lead. Inevitably, Saka was the architect, leaving all in his wake down the right before finding Lacazette, who had only just been introduced as a 66th-minute substitute. With his first touch of the ball, he set himself before rifling past Sanchez. Arteta erupted in his technical area. Arsenal’s rearguard then dealt with everything Brighton could muster. Rob Holding and Pablo Mari — an unlikely central defensive pairing — were heroic as the Gunners clinched victory and a clean sheet.