Arsenal 2-0 Brighton: Gunners cruise to victory to go top of the table

Arsenal beat Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0 at home on Sunday, thanks to second-half goals from Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, and moved back to the top of the Premier League standings.

Arsenal moved a point ahead of Aston Villa, who moved up to second on 38 points. Third-placed Liverpool are a point behind with a game against rivals Manchester United scheduled for later on Sunday.

Brighton had won their previous three visits to The Emirates Stadium in all competitions, but the majority of the action took place in their box as Arsenal became the first team this season to keep a clean sheet against Roberto De Zerbi's team.

The Seagulls, who fell to ninth place, did not have a single shot on goal in the first half as they weathered wave after wave of Arsenal attacks, with keeper Bart Verbruggen standing firm.

Arsenal were also guilty of failing to capitalize on their opportunities, with Gabriel Martinelli coming closest with a shot that went just wide as the two teams went into halftime tied at 0-0.

Brighton's resistance was broken eight minutes into the second half when defender Jan Paul van Hecke inadvertently flicked a corner kick into the path of the unmarked Jesus at the far post, who headed home.

Arsenal refused to be satisfied with a one-goal lead and continued to pepper the Brighton goal with shots. On his 25th birthday, skipper Martin Odegaard saw a shot palmed away, while Havertz saw his header fly over.

Brighton had been passive throughout the game, but in the 82nd minute, Kaoru Mitoma slipped past his marker and crossed the ball into the box, only for Pascal Gross to shoot wide.

In the 87th minute, substitute Eddie Nketiah put Havertz through on goal, and the German forward rifled into the bottom corner to give Arsenal the three points.

After a difficult start to his Arsenal career, Havertz has now scored four goals in his last seven games.

SportsLigue