Brighton 0-3 Arsenal: Saka on target as Gunners cruise past Seagulls to go top
Arsenal kept their Premier League title hopes alive with a masterful 3-0 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday, propelling them back to the top of the table.
Manchester City's earlier victory had dropped Arsenal to third place, but they responded emphatically to clear what appeared to be a difficult obstacle in style.
Arsenal's tenth win in their last 11 league games moved them to 71 points from 31 games. Liverpool, who play away to Manchester United on Sunday, and champions Manchester City both have 70 points. Arsenal's goal difference is also significantly higher than that of their two title rivals.
Brighton started well, but Arsenal settled quickly, and Saka converted a penalty in the 33rd minute after Tariq Lamptey was judged to have clipped Gabriel Jesus in the area.
Arsenal were a constant threat going forward, and the away fans were ecstatic when Kai Havertz scored from close range off a cut back by Jorginho in the 62nd minute.
Former Brighton player Trossard, who came on as a substitute, sealed the victory late after being played through on goal.
It was Brighton's first home league loss since August.
"The attitude and work-rate of the boys is phenomenal and everyone put everything into that game -- that is why we are successful right now," Havertz said.
"To be honest we didn't speak about (City's win). We tried to focus on ourselves and win the game, that is more important than looking at the other games right now."
"We must win our matches and see where that brings us. We have to keep on going, we have another big game in the midweek."
Brighton ended Arsenal's title hopes last season with a late-season collapse. But Mikel Arteta's team appear to be in unstoppable form this time around.
They have not conceded in their last five away games, scoring 20 goals in the process, and last weekend demonstrated their character with a gritty 0-0 draw against Manchester City.
Arsenal fans were singing in the rain on the south coast at the end, and while their team still have some tough games ahead of them, a first title since 2004 appears to be within reach.
Arteta's team withstood early Brighton pressure but exuded confidence as they dismantled Roberto de Zerbi's side.
Gabriel had a great chance but headed wide, and Jesus was denied by a superb save by Bart Verbruggen.
But when Lamptey fouled Jesus and a VAR check confirmed the penalty award, Saka, who had been an injury doubt, remained calm and sent his penalty past Verbruggen for his 14th league goal of the season.
Havertz, who is becoming increasingly influential for Arsenal, gave the team breathing room with a tap-in, and Trossard added the finishing touch in the 86th minute.
Arsenal's mood was encapsulated in stoppage time when Gabriel made a goal-saving block and celebrated with his teammates as if he had scored, despite the fact that the points had already been secured.
Saka claimed Arsenal have learned a lot from last season's failed attempt to stop City.
"This year we are more comfortable and I think the team is better. I feel like we are ready for each game to win," he said.
SportsLigue