Kings of the Road Arsenal Clip Seagulls’ Wings to Increase Premier League Advantage
Tom Hancock
Brighton 0-1 Arsenal
Arsenal delivered a defensive masterclass to edge past Brighton and stretch their lead at the top of the Premier League to seven points, as title rivals Manchester City slipped up by drawing 2-2 with Nottingham Forest.
After David Raya almost gifted Brighton an early opener at the Amex Stadium with an uncharacteristically stray pass out from the back, Arsenal seized the initiative and went in front through Bukayo Saka’s sixth Premier League goal of the season.
Making his 300th appearance for the Gunners, Saka cut in from the right and shot from the corner of the box, his strike taking a slight deflection off Carlos Baleba which diverted the ball through the legs of wrongfooted goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.
That proved to be the visitors’ only attempt of the half, though Brighton didn’t give Raya anything to worry about with any of their six first-half efforts.
The Seagulls finally had Raya stretching to make a save shortly before the hour mark, Georginio Rutter drilling a half-volley from the edge of the area, before Yankuba Minteh’s threatening ball across the six-yard box was cut out by Leandro Trossard.
Arsenal, though, proved why they’re the most fearsome team on the road in the Premier League this term, restricting Brighton to 0.80 expected goals (xG) from 11 shots and keeping their seventh away clean sheet of the campaign.
Man City still have a game in hand – and Arsenal still have to go to the Etihad Stadium next month – but this could prove to be a pivotal night in the title race.
Mikel Arteta’s side now face two more away trips – to Mansfield Town in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday then Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 next Wednesday – before continuing their Premier League title charge at home to Everton on Saturday, 14 March.
Brighton, who stay 12th, are out of the FA Cup; they’ll look to get back on track in the league when they travel to Sunderland next Saturday.
Man of the Match: Gabriel (Arsenal)
A colossus at the back as ever, Gabriel made 14 clearances, won four out of four aerial duels and, most crucially of all, headed Baleba's attempted chip of Raya over the bar as Arsenal successfully shut the Seagulls out.
