Martin Odegaard helps Arsenal regain Premier League title race advantage with Brighton win

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Arsenal secured a 2-1 win over Brighton in the Premier League to climb back above Manchester City at the top of the table

Martin Odegaard was the hero for Arsenal against Brighton(Image: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire)

Odegaard’s breakthrough: Captain Martin Odegaard opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a clinical low strike from just outside the penalty area. This goal marked the Norway international's first of the season and set the tone for a dominant first-half performance.
Defensive crisis solved: Mikel Arteta was forced into late changes after Riccardo Calafiori was injured during the warm-up, joining an already lengthy injury list. Declan Rice demonstrated his versatility by filling in as an emergency right-back, earning praise for a commanding performance in the unfamiliar role.
Goalkeeping controversy: Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen was at the centre of a major talking point when he tackled Viktor Gyokeres outside the box late in the first half. Despite Arsenal’s appeals for a red card, the referee opted for a yellow, ruling that it was not a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Fortune favours the Gunners: Arsenal doubled their lead in the 52nd minute thanks to some luck following a set-piece. Georginio Rutter inadvertently headed a dangerous Declan Rice corner into his own net, providing the hosts with some much-needed breathing room.
Brighton’s response: The Seagulls fought back into the game in the 64th minute when Diego Gomez pounced on a rebound after Yasin Ayari’s initial effort hit the post. This goal shifted the momentum and set the stage for a tense final thirty minutes.
Raya’s heroics: David Raya preserved the three points with what many described as a 'save of the season' contender. He produced a spectacular full-stretch dive to tip a curling Yankuba Minteh effort over the bar as Brighton pushed for a late equaliser.
Late misses: Arsenal had several chances to regain their two-goal advantage, most notably when substitute Gabriel Martinelli fired over from a pinpoint Bukayo Saka cross. These missed opportunities ensured a tense finish until the final whistle.
Title race implications: The victory moved Arsenal two points clear of Manchester City at the summit of the table. Following City's earlier win over Nottingham Forest, the pressure was on the Gunners to respond, and they successfully navigated a difficult fixture to stay ahead.
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