Arsenal go seven points clear with 4-2 win over Brighton

London January 1 (BNA): Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah scored early goals in each half for Arsenal as they won 4-2 away at Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday in the 2022 Premier League final to open the top seven. The lead point is at the top of the table.

Arsenal leads the standings with 43 points, with second-placed Manchester City, who drew 1-1 with Everton earlier today, with 36 points, and Newcastle United, who drew 0-0 with Leeds, two points behind in third place. Reuters reported.

Saka scored just over a minute into the game as Gabriel Martinelli’s shot was deflected into his path, cushioning the ball with his first touch before deftly steering it home with his second.

Leandro Trossard had two decent chances for the hosts before Martin Odegaard added Arsenal’s second goal in the 39th minute, after turning a rebound into the net.

The league leaders looked to have finished winning just after the break as goalkeeper Robert Sanchez volleyed another Martinelli shot into the path of striker Nketiah, slotting the ball into the net from close range.

However, Kaoru Mitoma’s 65th-minute goal made Brighton a lifeline and although Gabriel Martinelli got Arsenal’s fourth from Odegaard’s stunning pass, Ivan Ferguson made it 4-2 to put an end to the stand.

Mituma thought he had made it 4-3 in the 89th minute, but the goal was awarded after a VAR review found it came from an offside position, as the Gunners held on to cap off the year with a win.

“We don’t care about other teams, three points was everything today and we did that. Maybe we need to control the game a bit better, we let them do that a couple of times, but they are a good team,” Arsenal captain Odegaard told Sky Sports.

Fellow top scorer Saka said his team were pleased with their seven-point lead heading into the new year.

“Of course, at the start of the season if you ask us if we want it, we’ll bite your hand. We’re really happy,” he told Sky Sports.

“It’s a great opportunity we have, a great place we’ve put ourselves in.”

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