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Bukayo Saka's fortunate goal gave Arsenal the lead at Brighton At a glance Bukayo Saka's deflected shot goes through Bart Verbruggen's legs to give Arsenal ninth-minute lead Gunners extend lead at top of Premier League to seven points as Nottingham Forest claim 2-2 draw at Manchester City PLAYER RATER Arsenal rode their luck to survive a torrid encounter at Brighton and extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to seven points. Brighton were the superior side for long periods - but Bukayo Saka's deflected early strike proved enough to give Mikel Arteta's side a priceless triumph, especially with Manchester City being held to a 2-2 draw at home by struggling Nottingham Forest. Arsenal's night almost began in catastrophic fashion in the opening seconds when goalkeeper David Raya sent a clearance straight to Carlos Baleba, but his attempted chip was weak, allowing Gabriel to retreat and head off the line. And the Gunners' luck was in after nine minutes when Saka's routine shot took a deflection off Baleba and went through the legs of Brighton keeper Bart Verbruggen, who should have done better. Brighton's fans, whipped up by head coach Fabian Hurzeler on the sidelines, were infuriated by what they saw as Arsenal's time-wasting, erupted in fury just before the hour when Raya saved from Georginio Rutter then stayed on the floor clutching his shoulder before getting treatment. Arsenal were placed under severe pressure and Brighton should have levelled, only for Mats Wieffer to head straight at Raya from point-blank range. In the end, Brighton ran out of steam to allow Arsenal to close out another very scrappy, but hugely significant, win on a night when Manchester City slipped up. Have your say on Brighton's performance What did you make of Arsenal's display? Arsenal's performance here in victory was desperately average throughout, hanging on in a scrap and barely creating a chance - and yet the result was greeted like a title win itself. Saka's fortunate early strike, aided and abetted by the hapless Verbruggen, was a rare moment of danger for Brighton, who set the tempo throughout. And yet, as Brighton's efforts became more laboured, Arsenal survived the storm to celebrate at the final whistle, the noise from the travelling supporters coming to a crescendo when news of Forest getting a draw at Etihad Stadium filtered through. Arsenal were in retreat for most of the game, their cause not helped by a lack of creation and ability to maintain possession or hold the ball up front, with Viktor Gyokeres anonymous before being substituted. At the heart of it all was defender Gabriel, magnificent with his usual partner William Saliba out injured, almost mounting a one-man barrier of defiance as Brighton pushed. The celebrations at the final whistle on and off the pitch reflected the importance of the win as Arsenal fans chanted "We're going to win the league". And it is results like this, on nights like this, when titles are sometimes won. Brighton's recent upturn in form gave them optimism going up against the league leaders and they took the fight to Arsenal from the first whistle. It was a deflection and goalkeeping error from Verbruggen that eventually undermined their strenuous efforts, with the growing frustration around Amex Stadium at what Brighton fans saw as Arsenal's spoiling tactics adding to the mood of frenzy. Hurzeler was a frantic figure on the touchline, berating the officials while urging on his own players, but Brighton's best chance came and went when Wieffer missed that big second-half opportunity. Even in defeat, there was much to encourage Brighton, their efforts appreciated by the fans who gave them a rousing ovation at the end. This was, however, a night of pure frustration for the Seagulls. Arsenal are next in action at Mansfield Town on Saturday in the FA Cup fifth round (12: 15 GMT), then have a Champions League last-16 trip to Bayer Leverkusen next Wednesday (17: 45), before returning to Premier League duties at home to Everton on Saturday, 14 March (17: 30). Brighton are also in Premier League action on 14 March, at Sunderland (15: 00). After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users. Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Last Updated 4th March 2026 at 21: 59 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Fabian Hürzeler Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Mikel Arteta Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Fabian Hürzeler Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Mikel Arteta Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Arsenal Arsenal High chance of scoring Medium chance of scoring Low chance of scoring Dominant period Match momentum measures the swing of the match by comparing each team’s threat to see who is more likely to score within that minute. The momentum value is the difference between each team’s most dangerous moment, or team threat, in that minute. Match momentum measures the swing of the match by comparing each team’s threat to see who is more likely to score within that minute. The momentum value is the difference between each team’s most dangerous moment, or team threat, in that minute. Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion Premier League All competitions All competitions All competitions Brighton and Hove Albion have won two of their last 11 Premier League matches against Arsenal (D3 L6), with both wins coming at the Emirates in April 2022 (2-1) and May 2023 (3-0). Arsenal lost two of their first three Premier League trips to the Amex against Brighton (D1), but haven’t lost any of their last five visits since 2020-21 (W3 D2). Only two of the last nine Premier League meetings between Brighton and Arsenal have been won by the home side (3 draws, 4 away wins), though Arsenal won 2-1 earlier this season. The last time both league fixtures between the two were won by the home team was in 2017-18. Brighton have won two of their last four Premier League home games against the team starting the day top of the table (D1 L1), both by a 3-2 scoreline. However, both of these victories came after their opponents had already won the Premier League title (Man City in May 2021, Liverpool in May 2025). Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 19 evening (7pm or later) Premier League matches (W14 D5) since a 2-0 home loss to West Ham in December 2023. However, all three of those games so far in 2026 have finished level (0-0 v Liverpool, 1-1 v Brentford, 2-2 v Wolves). Brighton have won both of their last two Premier League games, after having only won one of their previous 13 beforehand (D6 L6). The Seagulls last won three successive league fixtures in May 2025. Between August and December in the Premier League this season, Arsenal scored just 11 goals in nine away games, an average of 1. 2 per game. Since the turn of the year they’ve netted 14 goals in six on the road, an average of 2. 3 per game. Of the 20 occasions that Arsenal have gone 1-0 up in the Premier League this season, their opener came from either a set-piece or a penalty in 13 of them. This is the joint-most set-piece/penalty opening goals by any side in a single Premier League campaign. Brighton’s Danny Welbeck has scored 10 Premier League goals this season, matching his best ever tally previously set in 2024-25. One more goal would make him only the third player to score more than 10 goals in a Premier League season for the very first time while aged 35 or older when doing so, after Gary Mc Allister in 1999-00 (35) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in 2016-17 (35). Viktor Gyökeres has been involved in six goals in his last seven away games for Arsenal in all competitions (5 goals, 1 assist), having scored just twice (no assists) in his first 12 on the road for the Gunners. Foul by Jack Hinshelwood (Brighton and Hove Albion). Cristhian Mosquera (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Carlos Baleba (Brighton and Hove Albion). Eberechi Eze (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Attempt blocked. Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton and Hove Albion) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Georginio Rutter. Ferdi Kadioglu (Brighton and Hove Albion) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Bukayo Saka (Arsenal). Foul by Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton and Hove Albion). David Raya (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Attempt missed. Jack Hinshelwood (Brighton and Hove Albion) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Jan Paul van Hecke with a cross. Delay over. They are ready to continue. Delay in match because of an injury Martín Zubimendi (Arsenal). Foul by Martín Zubimendi (Arsenal). Georginio Rutter (Brighton and Hove Albion) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Cristhian Mosquera (Arsenal). Georginio Rutter (Brighton and Hove Albion) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Viktor Gyökeres (Arsenal). Ferdi Kadioglu (Brighton and Hove Albion) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal) wins a free kick on the left wing. Foul by Diego Gómez (Brighton and Hove Albion). Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.