Martin Odegaard finally found the net for the first time this campaign, guiding Arsenal to a 2-1 win over Brighton and restoring their position at the summit of the Premier League. Despite the narrow margin, the true highlight belonged to goalkeeper David Raya, whose decisive intervention preserved the advantage in the closing stages at a tense Emirates Stadium.
Brighton substitute Yankuba Minteh unleashed a curling attempt from distance with around a quarter of an hour left, seemingly heading for the top corner. Raya reacted with extraordinary agility to palm the ball over the frame of the goal, stopping what looked an inevitable equaliser. Manager Mikel Arteta, speaking to Sky Sports, labelled the stop “sensational” and praised the Spaniard for stepping up in a critical moment. Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer hailed it as one of the standout saves of the season, while Andy Reid noted on BBC Radio 5 Live that Arsenal’s players immediately recognised the magnitude of the moment.
Missed chances and tactical shifts
Arsenal controlled long phases of the contest, directing 15 efforts at goal and preventing Brighton from recording a single attempt before the interval. Arteta suggested the scoreline should have reflected that dominance more convincingly, admitting the margin “ought to have been larger” after the volume of opportunities.
Shearer felt the hosts made life harder than necessary, remarking that Arsenal’s early joy came from exploiting space behind Brighton’s wing-backs through Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard. However, adjustments by the visitors at the break altered the dynamic. Two substitutions preceded Brighton’s goal, shifting momentum and suddenly forcing the home side to absorb pressure.
Injury challenges and title pursuit
This match reflected a familiar pattern for Arsenal this season: control, missed openings, and coping with absences. Kai Havertz remains sidelined with a knee issue from the campaign’s outset, while Jurrien Timber was unavailable and Riccardo Calafiori withdrew during the warm-up. As a result, Myles Lewis-Skelly was drafted into the starting XI unexpectedly. The return of Gabriel as a second-half substitute marked a positive step in his recovery.
Arteta acknowledged that the group has been “surviving” difficulties for half a year, insisting that the setbacks have strengthened their unity. With more than five months still ahead, he hopes the situation stabilises. He also welcomed Gabriel’s comeback sooner than projected.
For the second straight weekend, Manchester City had moved into first place ahead of Arsenal’s kickoff, with the Gunners responding once again. Arteta stressed that the focus remains internal, stating that matches every few days will be a significant test, but one his squad is prepared to face as they chase a first league crown since 2004.
