Arsenal thumps Brighton to return atop the Premier League desk

Arsenal beat Brighton pretty comprehensively within the Premier League on the South Coast on Saturday, thanks partially to a stellar efficiency by Kai Havertz.

The Germany worldwide scored a objective and setup one other in his crew’s commanding 3-0 victory.

The Gunners entered the weekend sitting second within the Premier League standings. League-leading Liverpool topped the desk by simply two factors over the north London outfit and won’t play their weekend fixture till Sunday.

Nonetheless, reigning English champions Manchester Metropolis jumped forward of Arsenal Saturday morning because of a 4-2 win in opposition to Crystal Palace. Metropolis’s victory tightened the title race and helped the membership attain the identical level complete because the Reds. Because of this the Gunners wanted to maintain tempo with a triumph in opposition to a tough Seagulls aspect.

Guests take slim lead into halftime after Saka spot kick

Each Arsenal and Brighton, fairly predictably, had a number of scoring possibilities within the early phases of the match. Gabriel almost, and possibly ought to have, gave the Gunners a lead inside 90 seconds. The defender discovered himself with a free header close to objective after a stunning free kick from Martin Odegaard. Nonetheless, the Brazilian in some way despatched the short-range shot vast of the goal. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus additionally couldn’t capitalize on different incredible alternatives inside the primary dozen minutes.

The hosts had two excellent possibilities to go forward throughout this timeframe as properly. Julio Enciso and Jakub Moder each despatched pictures simply exterior David Raya’s objective within the ninth and tenth minute respectively. Enciso’s strive, specifically, got here after a blistering counter assault by Brighton. Nonetheless, the Paraguayan’s effort zipped over the bar.

Issues appeared to cool down a bit following the flurry of pictures within the early moments. Arsenal, nonetheless, got a penalty kick within the thirty first minute after Tariq Lamptey introduced down Jesus contained in the field. Brighton gamers an followers argued that the defender nicked the ball, however replays clearly confirmed that Jesus was tripped within the space. Saka ultimately stepped up and despatched Bart Verbruggen the improper option to give the Gunners the lead.

Gunners seize two extra objectives to earn all three factors

The beginning of the second half basically started simply because the opening interval ended. Each groups seemed constructive going ahead within the first quarter-hour of the latter half. Arsenal, nonetheless, undoubtedly had the very best possibilities throughout this stretch. Jesus and Odegaard each had high quality alternatives so as to add one other objective for the guests.

Nonetheless, Havertz ultimately doubled Arsenal’s lead within the 62nd minute. Odegaard initially slipped in Jorginho with a intelligent by ball down the fitting flank. The Italian midfielder, though in an uncommon attacking spot, then despatched a low cross in the direction of Havertz in entrance of the objective. The versatile attacker cooly completed past the keeper from solely a few yards away. It was the German’s tenth complete objective on the marketing campaign.