Arsenal reclaimed prime spot within the Premier League desk as they withstood late stress to file a 2-1 victory over Brighton.
Issues bordered on catastrophe for Mikel Arteta earlier than a ball had even been kicked: It started with information of Jurrien Timber being out of the matchday squad and culminated in a pre-match harm (after all) to his fellow fullback Riccardo Calafiori, the Italian then promptly changed by Hale Finish’s Myles Lewis-Skelly.
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Regardless of that limbo, the Gunners acquired off to an atypically quick begin and must have taken the lead on simply two minutes. A misinterpret from Lewis Dunk let Viktor Gyokeres in behind however the enigmatic striker, with the purpose at his mercy, may solely nudge a tame shot straight into the grateful arms of goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.
But the lead did come quickly sufficient, and it marked a primary purpose of the marketing campaign for Martin Odegaard. Good Arsenal stress from a purpose kick pressured the turnover and the captain discovered himself in that O-zone he loves on the sting of the field, taking full benefit of the time and area afforded to fireplace his shot in on the close to submit.
Participant rankings as Arsenal maintain on to beat Brighton 2-1 within the Premier League
Bukayo Saka and Martin Zubimendi each went shut with separate strikes later within the half however to no avail and the rating remained 1-0 on the break.
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It solely took seven minutes for the Gunners to seize that second purpose and, as is custom, it got here from a set-piece. Declan Rice was the architect-in-chief and his scrumptious, whipped nook met the top of Brighton man Georginio Rutter on the close to submit, his deft contact leaving Verbruggen stranded between the sticks to present Arsenal a cushion.
The Seagulls ripped that cushion away simply moments later when Yasin Ayari hit the submit just for the follow-up to succeed in Diego Gomez; the Paraguayan reacted quickest to fireplace a first-time effort previous David Raya and arrange a nervy end.
Yankuba Minteh virtually levelled for the guests late on when his fierce strike was brilliantly saved by Raya, whereas the closing phases made for a tough watch as Arsenal held on for expensive life, attempting to wind down the clock by the nook flag.
They held on for the win once more, and listed here are the participant rankings from this third consecutive Premier League triumph.
Declan Rice had a brand new function within the Arsenal crew on Saturday | Stuart MacFarlane/GettyImages
Goalkeeper & Defenders
David Raya (GK): 8 – Might have sat in a deckchair for the primary 45 as Brighton did not register a shot all half. Raya was not fairly so comfy after half-time (although he may do little concerning the purpose) however stayed alert and produced a really world-class save to disclaim Yankuba Minteh what appeared sure to be an equaliser.
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Declan Rice (RB): 8.5 – There may be nothing Declan Rice can not do! He stuffed in at RB for the injured Timber and proved his price with a surprising restoration run and deal with to cease a Brighton breakaway whereas it was his sensible supply which led to the Rutter personal purpose. Only a top-drawer show at each ends of the pitch.
William Saliba (CB): 7 – is at all times so spectacular on the again and he hardly put a foot improper in marshalling the Brighton assault. They requested extra questions of him as the sport wore on after a quiet first half however he handled them ably; his evident confidence will solely develop additional now that Gabriel is again within the image.
Piero Hincapie (CB): 7 – Again from harm and appeared regular. He appeared to imagine the Calafiori function when Arsenal tried to place the sport to mattress as he typically ended up being probably the most superior participant in crimson and white – it didn’t result in many clear-cut probabilities nevertheless it actually had the away backline on excessive alert.
Myles Lewis-Skelly (LB): 6 – Thrust into the crew at quick discover and appeared very assured, spraying passes round and ceaselessly attempting to get the Gunners up the pitch. Accidents have granted Lewis-Skelly extra recreation time in current weeks and, naturally, his confidence and efficiency ranges are growing every match; absolutely Arteta can discover a method to choose him extra typically?
Martin Odegaard took his likelihood with aplomb to place Arsenal forward | Stuart MacFarlane/GettyImages
Midfielders
Martin Zubimendi (CM): 7 – Shared RB duties at instances with Rice and it was one other polished outing for Zubimendi. The Spaniard virtually scored with cheeky backheel earlier than the half-time break and his positioning all through was an necessary consider shutting down a number of Brighton makes an attempt to hit on the counter.
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Martin Odegaard (CM): 8 – The captain typically leaves lots to be desired together with his capturing however he had the medical contact right here to fireplace the crew forward. Normally, he delivered a top-class efficiency (even when his closing ball continues to be generally suspect) that was paying homage to the Odegaard of previous. Perhaps common minutes and a few good harm fortune will see him return to his finest type; the swagger was actually again right here.
Mikel Merino (CM): 5 – I really like Mikel Merino, even when one by no means fairly is aware of what to anticipate. He put in an enormous effort as at all times and followers can not doubt his dedication, however questions stay over his impression on the crew. The sport appeared to go him by and he flew into a couple of challenges that would have put him within the referees’ pocket book; he escaped a card fortunately however provided his crew little at both finish.
Viktor Gyokeres didn’t have a huge effect on the sport | Stuart MacFarlane/GettyImages
Forwards
Leandro Trossard (LW): 6 – Not his best outing however nonetheless a good displaying from the previous Brighton man. Trossard did rather well to steer an Arsenal breakaway within the first half and it was his ball which despatched Gyokeres by means of early on, just for the Swede to squander the prospect. His showboating in entrance of the away followers was an enormous spotlight from the afternoon.
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Bukayo Saka (RW): 7 – Saka had a good outing and was extra concerned within the motion than in current video games. He teed up Odegaard for the opener and made one thing out of nothing from a protracted Raya ball simply earlier than the break, but it nonetheless by no means fairly clicked for him within the closing third – his ending may nonetheless enhance.
Viktor Gyokeres (ST): 5 – Numerous the standard endeavour and neat hold-up work from Gyokeres with out having a significant impression on proceedings. His first sensible goal-scoring likelihood resulted in a pitiful effort straight at Verbruggen, although his willingness to chase misplaced causes later noticed the Dutch ‘keeper earn a yellow card. Nonetheless, one expects extra from a big-money striker and, for all of Arsenal’s possession and probabilities, Gyokeres hardly ever appeared like discovering the online.
Substitutes
Gabriel Magalhaes (71′ for Lewis-Skelly) – 5/10
Gabriel Jesus (71′ for Gyokeres) – 6/10
Gabriel Martinelli (82′ for Trossard) – 6/10
Participant of the Match: Declan Rice
This text was initially revealed on www.paininthearsenal.com as .