Arsenal Player Ratings: Gabriel & Hincapie got 9s in Brighton win, Martinelli disappoints

Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to seven points after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Brighton, underpinned by a defensive masterclass from Gabriel Magalhaes.

​Arsenal moved a step closer to the Premier League title on Wednesday night with a gritty away win on the south coast.

The decisive moment came via Bukayo Saka, whose long-range effort took a fortunate deflection off Carlos Baleba to wrong-foot Bart Verbruggen.

Despite the early lead, the Gunners struggled for rhythm and were often second-best in possession, relying heavily on a backline that stood firm under immense pressure.

​The match shifted following the second-half introduction of Kai Havertz, whose physicality and hold-up play provided the composure Arsenal had lacked for the first hour.

While the visitors were far from their fluid best, the result capitalizes on Manchester City’s slip-up, putting Mikel Arteta’s side firmly in the driver’s seat as the season enters its final stretch.

​Arsenal Player Ratings

​David Raya: 7/10

The Spanish goalkeeper recovered well from an uncharacteristic early lapse that nearly gifted Brighton an opener. Under constant pressure from high-pressing Seagulls, his handling of crosses was impeccable and provided a much-needed sense of security during a chaotic first half.

​Jurrien Timber: 7/10

Operating in a makeshift defensive unit due to Ben White’s absence, Timber displayed remarkable endurance. Despite appearing physically drained at times, he remained a combative presence on the flank and successfully nullified several dangerous Brighton advances.

​Cristhian Mosquera: 5/10

It was a difficult outing for the young Spaniard, who struggled to maintain his discipline after an early booking. He looked vulnerable against the pace of Yankuba Minteh and was ultimately withdrawn by Arteta before a second yellow card became inevitable.

​Gabriel Magalhaes: 9/10

The undisputed man of the match. Gabriel produced a heroic display, including a goal-line header and a series of perfectly timed sliding challenges to deny Kaoru Mitoma and Minteh. His leadership and anticipation were the primary reasons Arsenal kept a clean sheet.

​Piero Hincapie: 9/10

Hincapie continues to prove why he is a vital cog in this Arsenal machine. He combined elite recovery speed with immense strength to shut down Brighton’s right wing, and his tactical flexibility was on full display when he successfully transitioned to a central role late in the game.

​Martin Zubimendi: 5/10

The midfielder struggled to impose himself on the contest and appeared hampered by an early knock. His distribution was unusually erratic, leading to questions about whether the team currently lacks the defensive stability usually provided by Christian Norgaard.

​Declan Rice: 7/10

While not at his commanding best, Rice demonstrated why his “floor” is so high. After a shaky start featuring a dangerous back-pass, he dug deep in the second half to provide the defensive screening required to see out the result under heavy fatigue.

​Eberechi Eze: 5/10

Eze found it difficult to influence the game as Arsenal bypassed the midfield with a more direct, long-ball approach. He spent much of the match on the periphery, unable to find the pockets of space where he is usually most effective.

​Bukayo Saka: 7/10

Saka remains the man for the big occasion. While he missed a clearer opportunity earlier in the half, his persistence paid off with the winning goal. Though helped by a significant deflection, his willingness to test the goalkeeper from distance proved decisive.

​Viktor Gyokeres: 4/10

The Swedish striker struggled as the focal point of a long-ball strategy that didn’t suit his strengths. He was frequently isolated and was notably dispossessed during a rare one-on-one opportunity that could have doubled Arsenal’s lead.

​Gabriel Martinelli: 4/10

Similar to Gyokeres, Martinelli was a victim of the game’s direct tactical nature. He spent most of the evening chasing hopeful launches into the channels and had very few opportunities to run at the Brighton defense with the ball at his feet.

​Substitutes

​Kai Havertz: 8/10

The German international was the catalyst for Arsenal’s second-half improvement. He provided a much-needed outlet for the defense and nearly found the net himself, offering the tactical discipline that eventually calmed the game down.

​Leandro Trossard: 7/10

Coming on against his former club, Trossard looked sharp and involved. He saw significantly more of the ball than Martinelli and missed a golden chance to settle nerves by firing just wide late on.

​Riccardo Calafiori: 7/10

The Italian defender added immediate composure to the left side of the defense following his introduction. His arrival helped Arsenal kill the game’s momentum and navigate the final stages without further scares.

​Christian Norgaard: 5/10

A late introduction to shore up the midfield for the final minutes. He had limited touches but helped maintain the defensive structure as Brighton pushed for a desperate equalizer.