Arsenal opened up a seven-point lead on the high of the Premier League desk as they strolled to a 4-2 victory away at Brighton & Hove Albion.
Bukayo Saka opened the scoring within the second minute whereas Martin Odegaard, Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Martinelli all scored to make sure a reasonably routine win for Mikel Arteta’s facet regardless of objectives from Kaoru Mitoma and 18-year-old Evan Ferguson and a few nervy moments late on.
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It meant Arsenal took full benefit of earlier slip-ups from their closest rivals Manchester Metropolis and Newcastle United, who each drew their video games on Saturday.
“Large win, in opposition to a extremely good facet,” Arteta instructed Sky Sports activities. “We had huge moments, particularly attacking open areas, we had been ruthless. We had been actually scientific.
“We had some nice moments after which as properly there have been some moments the place we needed to dig in and endure as a result of they put you in hassle, they’re a extremely good facet.”
The guests made the proper begin with barely a minute performed as Saka coolly side-footed previous Robert Sanchez after a shot from Martinelli was deflected into the England winger’s path.
Odegaard doubled Arsenal’s lead with a bouncing left-footed end from a nook within the thirty ninth minute which ensured his workforce went into half-time in a cushty place.
They usually made their dominance felt three minutes after the break when Nketiah prodded previous Sanchez after the Brighton keeper acquired a hand to a shot from Martinelli.
Arsenal cruising to victory, however Mitoma gave them meals for thought within the sixty fifth minute when he was despatched by way of by Pascal Gross and despatched a low end previous Aaron Ramsdale.
Martinelli restored Arsenal’s cushion when he dashed by way of within the 71st minute earlier than slotting previous Sanchez following an incisive cross from Odegaard, earlier than Ferguson grew to become Brighton’s youngest Premier League goalscorer.
A right-footed end from Mitoma within the 89th minute precipitated a late scare for Arsenal, however the aim was dominated offside after a VAR evaluation.
Arsenal finish 2022 with 43 factors from 16 video games, seven factors greater than champions Man Metropolis and 9 forward of Newcastle, who they host on Tuesday.
“We have now to play each sport, now now we have to focus once more, evaluation the match — numerous issues that we accomplished very well, numerous issues nonetheless to enhance,” Arteta added.
“And take these ones into the subsequent match, take the identical vitality, momentum. We’ll play in entrance of our crowd, it should be a extremely particular sport once more and searching ahead to it.”
