After Manchester City’s victory and before Liverpool’s visit to Old Trafford, Arsenal had the opportunity to climb back to the top of the Premier League and increase the pressure on Jurgen Klopp’s team, and they took advantage of it tonight (Saturday) with a 3-0 win away to Brighton, which they beat once only in the previous five meetings. Mikel Arteta’s team continued their great period and in total gained 31 points out of a possible 33 during 2024 (10 wins and 0:0 at Manchester City).
Mikel Arteta brought back Bokayo Saka, who was absent from the 2-0 win over Luton, and the energetic winger was part of Arsenal’s opening attack. Gabriel, Saka and Gabriel Jesus missed, but the latter squeezed a penalty in the 33rd minute and Saka established a justified advantage with his 14th goal of the season in the league (as all last season, only nine games less). Lacking Brighton tried from time to time, but David Raya prevented an equalizer before the end of the half and in the 62nd minute it was Kai Habertz who scored after a nice team move. The German striker added an assist in the 86th minute, when the Belgian substitute for Andrew Trossard closed the matter against his former team. The Gunners with a point advantage at the top at least until tomorrow, and ahead of a busy two weeks in which they will meet Bayern Munich twice in the Champions League quarter-finals, will host Aston Villa in the league and will be hosted by Wolves.
No discounts for exes. to Andrew Trusser | Reuters Arsenal player Gabriel strikes against Brighton | Reuters
the progress of the game
2nd minute: Arsenal almost took an early lead with a free-kick picked up by Odgor from the right, but defender Gabriel’s shot went wide of the post, after a bad clearance from Verbruehan.
12 min: Saka was sent down the right, fooled his keeper inside the box and turned left to the far corner, but his shot went wide of the post.
13th minute: What a save by Verberuchen. Saka again burst from the right and set up for Jesus, who from 16 meters kicked hard with a touch and squeezed a great save from the Dutch goalkeeper.
Minute 15: Habertz jumped nicely in the area from right to left, Jesus struck from six meters out.
17th minute: Brighton got out of the shock a bit with an outburst by Edingara, who dribbled on the right wing in front of Zinchenko, entered the box and kicked hard and wide on the left.
Minute 33: Goal! Jesus dribbled on the left side, passed Lamptey at the entrance to the box and was blocked. The referee pointed to the white spot and Saka awarded 0:1 to Arsenal.
44th minute: Ansiso broke free on the left side and turned to the far corner, Raya flew and headed for the corner.
did not fail. Bokayo sake from the white point | Reuters highly regarded between the two. Roberto de Zerbi with Mikel Arteta Reuters
Minute 51: Estopinyan missed the ball once in the Arsenal square and on the second attempt kicked hard from a diagonal angle on the left and missed the frame.
54th minute: Odgor kicked a strong ball outside the box, and Verbruchen was ready and headed to the corner.
62nd minute: Goal! A nice exchange of passes on the right side ended with Jorginho preparing for Havretz who scored from close range. 0:2 to Arsenal.
71st minute: The substitute Trusser broke free and kicked a flat ball into the corner, and Verbruhan headed it.
86th minute: Goal! Brighton lost a ball and were penalized. Habertz sent Trossar to a half-empty field, the Belgian did not take into account the ex and made it 0:3 to Arsenal.
on the way to victory Kai Habertz conquers | Reuters Flares were thrown towards the grass after the second goal | Reuters
Sunday’s matches in England:
17:30: Manchester United – Liverpool (Sport1) 19:30: Sheffield United – Chelsea (Sport1) 20:00: Tottenham – Nottingham Forest (Sport2)