Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka (L) celebrates after scoring in opposition to Brighton. Photograph: AFP
BRIGHTON:
Arsenal confirmed they do not all the time need to depend on set-pieces as Bukayo Saka sealed a 1-0 win in opposition to Brighton that moved the Premier League leaders a step nearer to the title on Wednesday.
Saka, 24, celebrated changing into the fourth youngest participant to achieve 300 video games for Arsenal with the deflected first-half strike that sealed a priceless outcome on the Amex Stadium.
Mikel Arteta’s aspect have been underwhelming for lengthy intervals, however their work ethic and defensive effectivity allowed them to open up a seven-point lead over second-placed Manchester Metropolis.
Metropolis’s shock 2-2 draw in opposition to lowly Nottingham Forest on the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday left the future of the title in Arsenal’s fingers.
Though Metropolis have a recreation in hand on Arsenal and host the leaders in April, the Gunners have reeled off three successive league wins to quell recommendations that they lack the mentality required to deal with the strain of the title race.
Having blown substantial results in hand Metropolis the title in 2023 and 2024, Arsenal have survived the twists and turns extra maturely this time and a primary English crown since 2004 is now inside touching distance.
Not for the primary time this season, Arsenal earned few fashion factors from their efficiency on the south coast.
However the quadruple chasers have gained 5 and drawn two of their final seven league video games, whereas advancing to the Champions League final 16, the League Cup remaining and the FA Cup fifth spherical.
Arsenal keeper David Raya practically gifted Brighton a objective inside the primary three minutes with a wayward cross to Carlos Baleba, whose lob from the sting of the world was cleared by Gabriel Magalhaes earlier than it might cross the road.
That slender escape served as a wake-up name for Arsenal and so they took the lead in fortuitous vogue within the ninth minute.
Saka took possession on the fitting flank and superior to the sting of the world for a fierce shot that deflected off Baleba and someway squirmed by means of keeper Bart Verbruggen’s legs.
It was solely Saka’s second objective in his final 19 video games in all competitions.
– Arsenal dig deep –
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler this week criticised Arsenal for taking too lengthy with their set-pieces and he rapidly complained to the fourth official once they prevaricated over a throw-in.
Arteta confirmed his displeasure with Hurzeler’s protest in a finger-jabbing alternate between the managers on the touchline.
Arsenal’s reliance on set-pieces for his or her attacking output sparked debate about their techniques following Sunday’s win in opposition to Chelsea when each their targets got here from corners.
The Gunners have already scored 16 occasions from corners in 2025-26, equalling the Premier League file for a single season, and have 19 targets in complete from lifeless balls.
Arteta defended Arsenal’s use of set performs, ignoring claims that they would be the “ugliest” champions ever in the event that they win the title as he mentioned their outcome in opposition to Chelsea was “lovely”.
Critics of Arsenal’s fashion would hardly have been gained over by a scrappy first half that includes simply two pictures from the prosaic leaders.
With Arsenal properly beneath their greatest, Brighton pressed exhausting for an equaliser after the interval.
Georginio Rutter virtually hauled Brighton degree with an instinctive half-volley that compelled an excellent save from Raya.
Yankuba Minteh drove into the Arsenal space for a shot that deflected simply huge earlier than Jack Hinshelwood headed wastefully over from six yards.
Arsenal have been with out France defender William Saliba attributable to an ankle harm, however they dug deep to maintain Brighton at bay on a doubtlessly decisive night.
