Gunners move back to top as Saka returns in ruthless performance
BRIGHTON 0
ARSENAL 3
Saka (33, pen), Havertz (62), Trossard (86)
Arsenal regained top spot in the Premier League after goals from Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard secured a thumping 3-0 success which dented Brighton’s push for Europe.
Mikel Arteta’s men arrived at the Amex Stadium having dropped to third place in the table following Manchester City’s 4-2 win at Crystal Palace in yesterday’s lunchtime kick-off.
Fit-again top scorer Saka set the Gunners on course to return to the summit by converting a debatable firsthalf penalty before substitute Trossard sealed victory over his former club following a tap-in from Havertz.
The north London visitors were worthy winners on the south coast and sit a point ahead of both Liverpool – who play their game in hand against Manchester United at Old Trafford today – and City as attention switches to a Champions League quarter-final tie with Bayern Munich.
Brighton faded from a strong start and, despite being unhappy with the decision to award a spot-kick for Tariq Lamptey’s challenge on Gabriel Jesus, could have few complaints about the result.
The Seagulls’ first top-flight home loss in 13 outings dating back to August leaves them with an uphill task to secure continental football for the second successive year on the back of this season’s Europa League adventure.
Arteta, though, was thrilled with a ‘clever’ performance from his team.
He said: “A really difficult team to play against and they ask so many questions, but the team was mature and clever in the game we had to play.
“In attack and defence, we had big performances individually.
“We missed some big chances, but the team looked really connected and had purpose.
“The last pass and shot to finish the situation could have been better, but it doesn’t matter as we kept going.”
England international Saka overcame a muscle injury to start in Sussex and was recalled alongside Declan Rice, Jorginho and Jesus following Wednesday evening’s routine 2-0 win over Luton. Brighton began brightly in an entertaining opening but it was Arsenal who created – and squandered – a string of early chances.
After Gabriel headed wastefully off target from Martin Odegaard’s free-kick, the lively Saka curled narrowly wide before teeing up Jesus to force a fine diving save out of Bart Verbruggen. Gunners manager Arteta expressed further frustration on the touchline just two minutes later when Jesus failed to test Seagulls goalkeeper Verbruggen with an unmarked header from a Havertz cross.
For all of their neat interplay, Brighton, whose five changes included a recall for former Arsenal forward Danny Welbeck, were lacking a cutting edge. Lamptey had been central to the Seagulls’ slick start but moments after returning to the field following treatment, he gifted the Gunners a golden chance to edge ahead.
While the full-back brushed the ball with his left foot as he brought down Jesus, referee John Brooks had little hesitation in pointing to the spot, allowing Saka to confidently find the bottom left corner from 12 yards and claim his 14th league goal this term. Unhappy home fans wasted little time in venting displeasure at the perceived injustice of the 33rd-minute opener as the contest slipped into a temporary lull.
Julio Enciso almost enlivened Seagulls supporters with a stunning, curling effort from distance, which was clawed away by David Raya, before the match officials were jeered off at the break.
Arsenal could easily have been out of sight at the interval but came back out with plenty still to do.
Jesus and Odegaard each went close to doubling the lead before the Gunners delivered the knockout blow in the 62nd minute.
Jorginho was alert to intercept Enciso’s attempted pass deep in Albion territory and, after receiving the ball back from Odegaard, his low centre from the right was slotted home by Havertz in front of the sold-out away end.
Arteta exuberantly celebrated the strike and promptly withdrew Saka and Jesus ahead of Tuesday’s European first leg at home to Bayern.
Roberto De Zerbi’s injury-hit hosts had little answer to the two-goal deficit and contributed to their own undoing for the Gunners’ third as Trossard, who left Albion last year, rubbed salt into their wounds four minutes from time.
Pascal Gross’ dithering allowed Havertz to release Belgium forward Trossard and he ran half the length of the pitch before dinking over Verbruggen to seal Arsenal’s 10th league win from 11 outings in 2024. Saka says the Gunners have learned the lessons from last season when a late collapse cost them the title.
“Last season was not great to think about,” he admitted.
“But, great in terms that we have learned our lesson. In games like this game, we needed to put it to bed. “Last season, we were conceding late goals and having to defend.
“This year, we are more comfortable and I think the team is better. I feel like we are ready in each game to win.”