Martin Odegaard’s masterclass and a resilient defensive effort propelled Arsenal back to the top of the table despite a late scare from Brighton.
Arsenal climbed back to the pinnacle of the Premier League standings following a resilient home performance against Brighton.
Despite a disruptive pre-match injury to Riccardo Calafiori and several key absences, the Gunners displayed tactical flexibility.
Captain Martin Odegaard broke the deadlock with a precision strike from the edge of the box, followed by a second-half cushion provided by Georginio Rutter’s own goal.
A late Brighton surge made for a tense finish, but Mikel Arteta’s men held firm.
Arsenal Player Ratings
David Raya (7): The Spaniard had a momentary lapse with a misplaced throw early in the match, but he redeemed himself when it mattered most. His standout moment was a world-class fingertip save to deny Yankuba Minteh’s curling effort, effectively preserving the lead during Brighton’s late period of dominance.
Declan Rice (8): Tasked with an unconventional right-back role due to Jurrien Timber’s absence, Rice was exceptional. He balanced his defensive duties with trademark powerful runs into the final third. His delivery remained a potent weapon, as it was his pinpoint corner that forced the Rutter own goal.
William Saliba (7): Saliba anchored the defense with his typical composure, notably executing a crucial last-man challenge on Rutter early in the second half. He appeared much more comfortable following the interval when he was reunited with his long-term defensive partner, Gabriel.
Piero Hincapie (7): The defender showed great anticipation with a strong midfield tackle that initiated an Arsenal attack. While he seemed slightly stationary during the sequence for Diego Gomez’s goal, his overall contribution was physically dominant and technically secure.
Myles Lewis-Skelly (6): Thrust into the lineup following Calafiori’s warm-up injury, the youngster endured a difficult afternoon. He struggled with the pace of the game and was targeted by Brighton’s attackers before being substituted in the 70th minute as Arsenal looked to stabilize the left flank.
Martin Zubimendi (8): The midfielder was a hive of activity, nearly scoring with a clever backheel that forced a sharp save. Beyond his offensive threat, he provided a vital defensive screen, breaking up play with several intelligent interceptions and maintaining the team’s tempo.
Mikel Merino (7): Merino provided a quiet but efficient presence in the engine room. He worked tirelessly off the ball and demonstrated his vision with a high-quality pass into the penalty area that should have resulted in a goal, proving his value in tight midfield battles.
Martin Odegaard (9): In what was arguably his most influential display of the campaign, the captain led by example. After setting up an early chance for Saka, he took matters into his own hands by firing a low shot past Verbruggen. His creativity was relentless, consistently carving open the Brighton defense.
Bukayo Saka (8): Saka was a constant menace on the wing, providing the assist for Odegaard’s opener. While he was frequently double-teamed and saw several shots blocked, his work rate remained high, though he will be frustrated by a missed one-on-one opportunity late in the game.
Viktor Gyokeres (5): It was a frustrating outing for the summer recruit, who struggled with his finishing. He missed a volleyed chance in the opening minutes and later fired a strike directly at the goalkeeper, failing to capitalize on the service provided by his teammates.
Leandro Trossard (6): Facing his former employers, Trossard showed flashes of brilliance with some intricate footwork and sharp touches. However, his influence waned significantly as the second half progressed, leading to his substitution as the game became more physical.