.png)
7 months ago
39
A stylish Arsenal moved back into pole position in the Premier League title race after beating Brighton, a victory that saw them leapfrog Liverpool and Manchester City.
Just hours after City had swatted Crystal Palace aside at Selhurst Park, the pressure was once again on Mikel Arteta's contenders to respond on the south coast.
An ice-cool first-half penalty from Bukayo Saka, awarded after Tariq Lamptey's dangling leg caught Gabriel Jesus, handed the visitors the lead at the interval.
They then doubled their advantage through Kai Havertz's poacher's finish shortly after the hour mark, before Leandro Trossard netted against his former club.
Here, Mail Sport's ISAAN KHAN has rated the players...
Arsenal moved back to the top of the Premier League table after beating Brighton 3-0
Goals from Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard saw Arsenal leapfrog Liverpool
ARSENAL (4-3-3)
DAVID RAYA 7
Great save to deny Julio Enciso after 44 minutes. Neat passing from the back, too.
BEN WHITE 6.5
Was involved in a couple of heated battles with his old club but kept his cool and defended well.
Ben White was involved in a couple of heated battles against his old club but kept his cool
WILLIAM SALIBA 7.5
A calm presence at the back. In the right positions when required.
GABRIEL 7
Put his defensive partner Saliba in danger a couple of times. Had a couple of great first-half headed chances from corners.
OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO 6.5
Was more cautious in defence than usual which paid off.
MARTIN ODEGAARD 7
Had a shot after 54 minutes go over the bar off Bart Verbruggen's fingertips. Helped build play up forward and tracked back.
Martin Odegaard helped Arsenal build up play forward and saw a stinging shot tipped over
JORGINHO 6.5
Composed but struggled with the game's pace at times. Nice cross to assist Kai Havertz.
DECLAN RICE 7.5
A lynchpin in the middle. Kept calm in tight spaces.
Declan Rice was a lynchpin in the middle for the visitors and remained calm in tight spaces
BUKAYO SAKA 7.5
Threatened early in the first half. His penalty was executed perfectly.
KAI HAVERTZ 8.5
As the visitors sang, 'Kai Havertz scores again'. That's five goals in seven league matches. Effective link-up play throughout the match.
Havertz brought up his fifth goal in seven league matches after tapping in from close range
GABRIEL JESUS 6.5
Won a penalty which gave Arsenal the lead. Moments of dribbling magic. Too wasteful in front of goal.
Gabriel Jesus won a penalty late in the first half but was too wasteful in front of goal
SUBSTITUTES
Sealed the points with a dainty chip past the goalkeeper.
Substitute Leandro Trossard sealed the points with a deft chip at his old stomping ground
GABRIEL MARTINELLI 6.5
Put in a shift defensively.
TAKEHIRO TOMIYASU: 6.5
Helped see off the clean sheet.
Manager: MIKEL ARTETA 7
Took Saka off early to preserve him and rotated his players well.
Mikel Arteta rotated his players well and will be delighted his side are back on top again
BRIGHTON (4-2-3-1)
Verbruggen 6; Lamptey 6.5, Van Hecke 6, Dunk 5.5, Estupinan 6; Baleba 6, Gross 6; Adingra 7, Moder 6 (Buoananotte 63min, 6), Enciso 6.5 (Pedro 63, 6); Welbeck 6
Manager: ROBERTO DE ZERBI 6
Referee: JOHN BROOKS 6.5
Kept a lid on when tensions rose.
English (US)