Gunners go top after impressive win at Brighton

Goals from Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and former Seagull Leandro Trossard earned Arsenal a 3-0 win over Brighton on Saturday to take the Gunners top of the Premier League. 

Mikel Arteta's side moved a point ahead of Liverpool at the summit courtesy of an impressive victory that saw them draw the sting from a lively Seagulls attack while ruthlessly converting chances of their own: Saka's first-half penalty followed by a clinical team move for Havertz's goal and a gorgeous dinked finish from Trossard. 

The Action: Arsenal wasted little time in laying siege to their hosts' goal - Gabriel Magalhaes directing a header wide of the target from a Martin Odegaard cross inside the first minute. 

Brighton attempted to steady the ship, but the Gunners were playing with purpose and wide man Saka was the next player to go close: the England international cutting inside from the right in trademark fashion before bending his shot wide. 

Bart Verbruggen had been served notice of a busy evening, and Brighton's goalkeeper pulled off a fantastic stop shortly afterwards from Gabriel Jesus - the Belgian stopper at full stretch to tip the Brazilian forward's shot around the post. 

The home side were playing their part too with Simon Adingra and Tariq Lamptey linking well on the right, but it was Arsenal creating the better chances - and the visitors took the lead on the half hour mark courtesy of a penalty. 

Lamptey was the culprit, in terms of giving away the spot-kick, but the decision seemed harsh given that the Brighton defender got the slightest of touches as Jesus skipped past him in the box. After a VAR review, however, the penalty decision stood and Saka kept his cool to convert expertly from 12 yards. 

The Seagulls were in no mood to lie down though, and a pulsating half of football drew to a close with Julio Enciso's brilliant curling effort drawing an equally fabulous save from David Raya in Arsenal's goal. 

Half-time: Brighton 0-1 Arsenal

Whatever Robert De Zerbi had to say at half-time rallied the troops and the hosts caused problems straight from the restart. 

A loose ball in midfield from the Gunners saw Enciso shoot straight at Raya before Pervis Estupinan blasted an ambitious left foot strike a yard wide, as the Seagulls looked to restore parity. 

Arsenal responded, however, and on 53 minutes Odegaard fired in a fierce drive that was tipped over by Verbruggen - the Gunners having a number of shots blocked from the resulting corner.

Mikel Arteta's side are displaying a rugged ruthlessness at the moment and despite Brighton making life uncomfortable, the visitors carved out a wonderful second goal to give themselves some breathing space. 

As is often the case, Arsenal's right flank acted as a creative source - a lovely passage of football ending with Odegaard freeing Jorginho in the box, and the Italian bided his time before teeing up Havertz for a tap in. 

Arsenal's second goal seemed to suck some of the life out of Brighton and the Londoners managed the game well before launching a devastating counter-attack that ended with Trossard sitting Verbruggen down and lifting a delicate chip into the net. 

The win moves the Gunners top of the Premier League, although Liverpool can return to the summit if they beat Manchester United at Old Trafford tomorrow.