Arsenal beat Brighton to top EPL table into new year
Arsenal lead the rest of the 19 clubs in English Premier League into a new year, following a massive 4-2 victory over Brighton in their last game of 2022 at the Falmer Stadium on Saturday.
Bukayo Saka continued with his impressive form by putting the Gunners upfront barely two minutes into the game after he perfectly placed a deflected ball into the back of the net before Martin Ødegaard doubled the lead moment before the half time whistle.
Although Brighton made several threats inside Arsenal’s 18-yard area, Roberto De Zerbi’s team lacked the cutting edge to score in the first 45 minutes.
The Gunners tripled their lead barely two minutes into the second half thanks to Edward Nketiah as he nipped Gabriel Martinelli’s low cross into an open net.
Gabriel Magalhães almost extended the scoreline but his header from close range was saved by goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
In the 65th minute, Kaoru Mitoma pulled one back for Brighton with a well-placed effort as they looked rejuvenated in search of more goals but soon encountered a setback when Martinelli scored Arsenal’s fourth goal of the night to widen the goal margin again.
Evidence of Brighton’s unrelenting attitude to score another goal in the game was witnessed when Evan Ferguson netted his first Premier League goal to reduce the deficit in the 77th minute.
Arsenal were able to overcome a late scare from the host to create an upset in the game, including Mitoma’s 89th minute goal that was ruled out by VAR for an offside.
The victory places Arsenal comfortably atop the league table, at 43 points from 16 matches, winning 14, lost one and a draw in what is now their best start to a Premier League season in their history.
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