Martin Odegaard scored his first goal of the season to help Arsenal reclaim the top spot in the Premier League, but it was a stunning late save from David Raya that ensured all three points against Brighton.
The Gunners appeared to be in total control at the Emirates Stadium before a spirited second-half fightback from the visitors turned a comfortable afternoon into a nervy 2-1 finish.
While Odegaard’s strike provided the breakthrough, the game will be remembered for Raya’s fingertip save from Brighton substitute Yankuba Minteh in the closing stages. Minteh’s curling effort seemed destined for the top corner until the Spanish international’s acrobatic intervention.
“It was sensational,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told Sky Sports. “That’s what we need from players—those performances in the key moments.”
A tale of two halves
Arsenal dominated the opening 45 minutes, registering 15 shots to Brighton’s zero. Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard exploited the space behind Brighton’s wing-backs, creating a constant threat that left the visitors struggling to exit their own half.
However, the momentum shifted after the break when Brighton made a tactical double substitution. A goal for the Seagulls sparked a period of sustained pressure that left the home crowd anxious.
“The margin should have been much bigger,” Arteta admitted. “It should never be 2-1 with the amount of chances we created.”
Former England captain Alan Shearer, speaking on Match of the Day, described Raya’s late save as “one of the best you’ll see all season,” noting that the result was “a lot more difficult than it should have been” for the North London side.
Arsenal ‘surviving’ injury crisis
The victory was made more impressive by the growing list of absences in the Arsenal squad. Already missing Kai Havertz (knee) and Jurrien Timber, the Gunners lost Riccardo Calafiori to an injury during the warm-up.
The late withdrawal forced teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly into the starting line-up at short notice. Despite the setbacks, there was a boost for the title contenders as center-back Gabriel made his return from injury as a second-half substitute.
Arteta praised his team’s resilience, saying the squad is “uniting” under the pressure of a relentless schedule.
“At the moment we have survived six months,” Arteta said. “We can only control what we do. Playing every three days is going to be a challenge, and we are up for it.”
The title race intensifies
For the second consecutive week, Manchester City had moved into first place after playing earlier in the weekend, leaving Arsenal needing a win to respond.
The victory keeps Arsenal in the driving seat as they pursue their first Premier League title since 2004, though the narrow nature of the win serves as a reminder of the slim margins at the top of the table.
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