Skipper Martin Odegaard scored his first goal of the season as Arsenal beat Brighton 2-1 at home on Saturday to move back to the top of the Premier League table.
Odegaard powered home from just outside the area before Georgino Rutter flicked the ball into his own net from a Declan Rice set piece to double the Gunners’ advantage. Brighton fought back through a Diego Gomez goal in the 64th minute, but a stunning save by David Raya denied Yankuba Minteh and preserved Arsenal’s precious three points. The win took Arsenal to 42 points from 18 matches, maintaining their two-point advantage over Manchester City.
In the crucial clash, Arsenal’s second-last match of 2025, the hosts needed less than two minutes to carve out their first chance. A ball over the top from Leandro Trossard found Viktor Gyokeres, who outmuscled returning Brighton captain Lewis Dunk but side-footed his effort straight at Bart Verbruggen.
The Brighton goalkeeper was kept busy in the opening exchanges, preventing Bukayo Saka from scoring from a tight angle after the winger raced past Maxim De Cuyper.
Arsenal made their pressure count in the 14th minute with a fine finish from skipper Odegaard. The ball was worked quickly to Saka, who found Odegaard in space on the edge of the box, and the Norwegian drilled a low effort beyond the Dutch stopper’s reach. It was Odegaard’s first goal since netting Arsenal’s final strike of the 2024-25 campaign against Southampton.
The visitors found no respite as Arsenal continued to suffocate the Seagulls. Balls played over the top caused Fabian Hurzeler’s side persistent problems, with Saka the main beneficiary. The England international almost found Gyokeres with a low cross, but Jan Paul van Hecke cleared the danger.
Despite several more attempts, Arsenal went into the break with a 1-0 lead after registering 15 shots in the first half.
The hosts doubled their advantage shortly after the restart when a quick move saw Trossard find Odegaard, whose effort was deflected over for a corner. From the resulting set piece, Rice’s inswinging delivery was flicked into his own net by Rutter.
Arsenal continued to press, with Gyokeres firing straight at Verbruggen from a tight angle before Saka saw his effort deflected over the bar.
Despite their dominance, Arsenal were pulled back in the 64th minute through the returning Diego Gomez. Good work from Minteh found Rutter, who laid the ball off to Yasin Ayari. His shot struck the post and rebounded into the path of Gomez, who smashed the ball into the top corner.
Brighton sensed an equaliser and created further chances, but Arsenal stood firm, blocking efforts from Ayari and Jack Hinshelwood. The pressure prompted a change as Gabriel Magalhaes returned, making his first appearance since suffering an injury on international duty for Brazil in November.
Former Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck was introduced, giving the visitors a stronger focal point, and Brighton came close to levelling the score, only to be denied by the brilliance of Raya.
As Brighton pushed forward, the game opened up, and Arsenal nearly sealed the contest. Saka beat Dunk and slid the ball into the path of Gabriel Martinelli, but the winger could not keep his effort down from close range.
Arsenal will now face Aston Villa on Tuesday (December 30) in a quick turnaround for their final match of the year.
(IANS)
