Result: Brighton – Arsenal
Competition: Premier League
Date: 31 December 2022
Venue: Amex Stadium
Arsenal XI: Ramsdale, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Partey, Xhaka, Saka, Martinelli, Nketiah
Subs: Turner, Tierney, Tomiyasu, Holding, Cedric, Elneny, Lokonga, Vieira, Marquinhos
Arsenal ended 2022 on a high note, extending their lead at the top of the Premier League to seven points courtesy of a 4-2 win at Brighton.
Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard put the Gunners in charge at half time before Eddie Nketiah extended the lead on 47 minutes.
The closing 20 minutes were a see-saw affair with Kaoru Mitoma and Gabriel Martinelli trading strikes before substitute Evan Ferguson again reduced the deficit.
The Seagulls threatened a nervy finish but VAR came to Arsenal’s rescue, ruling out a second strike by Mitoma.
First Half
As starts go, it couldn’t have been much better for the Gunners.
After our first attack of the match broke down, Partey stole the ball off the advancing Lamptey in the middle of the part, Zinchenko sprung Martinelli and, after the Brazilian’s attempt was double deflected into his path, Saka did the rest with a nice touch and a polished half-volley finish past Sanchez. There were only 65 seconds on the clock. (GOAL! 1-0)
The Gunners continued to dominate the early stages and Zinchenko had a great opportunity to double the lead inside four minutes. On this occasion, Sanchez foiled the Ukrainian with a close-range block. Martinelli and Nketiah had further efforts before we hit the 10-minute mark.
Brighton came back into things after that and Ramsdale had to make a save to deny Trossard on 16 minutes. There was a real palaver over the taking of the corner with the referee ordering a retake after the wind blew the ball from its spot. We then hacked one for another corner and cleared the third effort from off the line thanks to Gabriel.
Again Arsenal came forward. Patient play in and around the box ended with Odegaard playing the cheekiest of flicks to Martinelli who squared before the ball was cleared. Had we somehow found the net, it would have been a goal-of-the-season contender. Not long after Partey had an opportunity when a corner was half-cleared but his effort took a nick and went over.
Seven minutes before the break, we deservedly doubled the lead. A corner broke to Odegaard on the edge of the box and the Norwegian found the top corner with an unconventional effort that bounced into the turf early and over a host of Brighton bodies. Was it deliberate? Only he’ll know. Also, who cares? (GOAL! 2-0)
The closing stages of the half were scrappy with Saka and Partey both taking heavy knocks before the Ghanaian and Gabriel were both booked for not very much.
Second Half
If the start to the first half was good, the second was equally impressive. Within two minutes, Arsenal worked an overload to perfection, moving the ball from the right flank to the left via Saka, Odegaard and Partey before Martinelli unleashed a fierce cross-shot. Sanchez did well to make the save but Nketiah was on hand to tuck home the loose ball from a yard out. Out came his trademarked phone celebration in front of the joyous travelling fans. (GOAL! 3-0)
With a three-goal advantage, the Gunners could afford to sit back and soak up pressure before pouncing on the break. The home side huffed and puffed for a bit but their best chance, falling to Gross who had a shot deflected wide, turned out to be offside.
At the other end, Gabriel and Saliba both came close from a free-kick launched into the Brighton box. Both sides made changes three minutes later with Arteta switching Zinchenko and White for Tierney and Tomiyasu.
If we were confident of victory, Brighton reducing the deficit soon after made us sweat. Mitoma tucked home confidently and his strike survived a VAR review. (GOAL! 3-1)
We needn’t have worried. Five minutes later, the three-goal lead was restored as Martinelli, on the break, hammered home through Sanchez’s legs. While the Brazilian’s run was excellent and his finish clinical, the through ball by Odegaard was truly sublime. He didn’t even look before splitting the defence from inside his own half (GOAL! 4-1)
The end-to-end action – much to Arteta’s frustration – continued. A ball through the middle flustered Saliba who took a bad touch running back towards Ramsdale and substitute Ferguson tucked the ball under the keeper to reduce the arrears again. (GOAL 4-2)
Arteta sent on Rob Holding for the final four minutes as we switched to a back five to close things out but Brighton’s pressure paid dividends again. A throw caused havoc in the box and Mitoma’s strike deflected off Holding past Ramsdale. The Amex went wild only to be silenced by VAR who ruled the Japan international had been offside in the build-up. Phew is an understatement.
Arsenal continued to look nervous in stoppage time but some dogged defending in and around the box just about saw us over the line.
Happy New Year wherever you are. Mikel Arteta’s rip-roaring Gunners are top of the table heading into 2023.
Phew.
Never in doubt! 7 clear! Massive win…COYG!
7 point lead on top of the table into 2023. It’s just awesome!! Come on you gunners!!!
Five Thirty Eight now have as favourites to win the league at 49%. They also now have as favourites for the Europa League.
Wouldn’t put much stock in 538 as their reputation is built on predicting a single american election result correctly. That Nate silver and company have been wrong about every election since should give you more pause when selecting them as a reliable source.
Great result. Think Saliba still looks a bit rusty but he’ll be fine…
HNY !! 🔥🔥🔥
He worries me but I’ll put it down to ristiness as well. Interestingly before WC Gab was the iffy one…
Saliba and Gab have each others back. Before the WC, Saliba protect Gab well and now Gab is covering his vacation as well. Love them both
He’ll kick his own arse and make no more mistakes
I’m not worried at all ! Picked up two tricky wins after the WC and now getting back in the groove 👍
He was abit shit in the second half. Would love to know what he was thinking for their second goal
Great game, clinical and great result. But I think the early subs affected us negatively. Lost all the control (especially after taking Partey off). But it is good we got that little scare today towards the end. They will be super alert in next game. Also, it’s the 3rd goal we are conceding with a little defensive situation involving Saliba (against United, Westham and today). Feels like a little weakness dealing with balls that are about to bounce when on the run/turn. May be its nothing and pure coincidence
Damn that Mitoma guy. Such a menace.
yeah Tomiyasu was still sleeping when he came on and Saliba playing like Mustafi since he’s returned from the World Cup didn’t help either because Tierney was fine Tierney came on with a fighting spirit ready! that’s why all their attack was on Tomiyasu side. Also Saka was knackered when he took party off eh should’ve also taken Saka off and Brought on Cedric and that right flank would’ve been covered with tomiyasu and Cedric Cedric can also attack if we get a counter so I think those were the mistakes. But Saliba is starting to concern me. And the… Read more »
Like someone already said, our defense is very young and we can expect mistakes from them. Still we are the team with second fewest goals conceded and our defence is gonna only improve because the potential is huge and the errors which they are showing now will disappear with experience.
We definitely are in title challenge. May be take a moment to remember what we all were hoping for at the beginning of the season 🙂
Enjoy the unexpected and thrilling journey!
Happy New Year !
Wenger woyld often double uo the full backs to see a game out with mknreal and gibbs. Not a bad tactic.
Good analysis TreadRipper, teams in PL don’t give up especially at home, Miki nearly got his fingers burnt thinking we won this game subbing half our defence, get it squad needs a run out when you’re 3 nil up but had that goal was given at 2 -4 ….
Think we’re in a race lads 😊
Great to take 3 points when others drop them! The front 3 score again and Eddie’s knack of being in the right place pays off.
And our captain…the big O! Pass of the season…
I’m just delighted we are getting the job done now. We have a tough run coming up, I’d not be surprised to see that buffer shrink a bit in coming weeks.
City also have a tough run; their next three are Chelsea away, Man United away, Sp*rs home.
Sweet. A few draws would be nice. But maybe better they don’t come to us with a point to prove
Mudryk at it again😂
https://mobile.twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1609255737208750081/photo/1
He’s in love, innit?
With his next tweet he should make his transfer request formal!
Each tweet knocking about 5 million off his fee
And whilst he’s at it, also let the world know that he has no intention of signing for those West London transfer hijackers, aka Chelsea.
Well he’s not watching those filthy cunts is he!
Because of Chelsea’s heavy Russian involvement, Ukrainian footballers generally hate the Chavs. No smegging way Mudryk is going to take any money from that horrible team.
If we sign him it is some statement. The kid is electric. If we pull it off and injury gods are kind we win the league
At this rate I won’t be surprised if he turns up at Arsenal training tomorrow.!
Arteta still needs to give the team his “a game lasts 90 fooking minutes” treatment.
We did seem to run out of puff towards the end. They looked dangerous. Teeth might have been grinding….
Seems to coincide with substitutions- the only slight weakness of this team currently. I said it today at 3-0 and each time after we made changes we conceded (incl. the one ruled out). Need to cut it out so we can better rest our players in these positions. But this is really picking holes in something that’s not shy of perfection! Its not out of the question that we’re 10 points clear after the next round of fixtures with City away at Chelsea..
We were away to the team 7th in the league, you couldn’t really expect us to dominate for 90 minutes.
That we limited them to just a couple of 10 minute spells should get credit.
The more they say Man City is hunting us, the more Man City keeps dropping points and we keep on winning. COYG!!!
The best hunters are the first ones in the forest!
Like it waylander.
I’ll wait till we get past both Sp*rs and United before feeling really comfortable. Especially if the current 7 pt lead expands a bit more by then. I can’t remember the last time we won at the lane.
I’m not sure I will ever feel really comfortable until it’s mathematically impossible for us to lose the league. Every game in premiership is a potential loss. It’s a tough league. COYG
The hunters been haunted
Unacceptable that our front 3 only score 1 each every game…
seriously though that was scary, happy NY all!
who will score the goals while Jesus is out?
everyone!
Is it me or did the ref really not want to give us a single foul?
Taylor was a complete f**king joke! A pathetic performance!
“Pathetic performance” doesn’t do Taylor justice today, he was diabolical.
It’s one season on Saka, but a foul from him and he is yellow carded. Also, bizarre yellow for Gabriel.
You wouldn’t complain if you had seen City vs Everton. The oil rich footballers kicked around the less oil rich footballers without a shame or a card or a foul. They dropped point nonetheless
Anthony Taylor is a cunt.
It’s Anthony Taylor, what do you expect? Maybe he is good at something, but it certainly isn’t refereeing.
Fantastic first 60 minutes, but slightly disappointing last 30.
A much easier win than we all anticipated and some great early football but we made it hard for ourselves with dodgy defending later on. Saliba badly at fault for their second goal.
Fantastic Nketiah goal!! A great poacher’s finish. I’m beginning to believe in him!
I lovely way to end the year!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL US GOONERS!!!!
I think it’s always been understood that young defenders will cost goals. He has cost us against West Ham, and again today. Fortunately the rest of the team is performing so well he’s not cost us points. Fingers crossed he’ll manage to shake off any post world cup cobwebs and step up whenever the forward line isn’t firing so well.
Eddie “fox in the box” Nketia
😛
Saliba was sleeping on that 2nd goal since he’s been back from World Cup he hasn’t been great. He needs to wake up quickly
He just hasn’t had the minutes during the world cup and is still young when consistency can be flakey. I thought every one backed of a bit for one their goals and the press could have been better. Saliba has had those classic moments of indecision that pkague all defenders. Arteta will make sure he analyses this to fuck and I hope we see a return to his proactive defensive approach. He is young and this is to be expected. What a pmayer though! Sign da ting!!!
The mentality of this TEAM is incredible. One game at a time. Quite like the fact Man Ure, , Liverpool and Chelski are picking up as it means they may all take points off City etc. What I love about this team is there clearly is not a single player who thinks he is bigger than the team
As MA rightly predicted, Brighton did ask big questions. We had the answers. Nervy at times. But our maturity vs last season continues to shine thru in games like this. Well done to MA and the boys !!!
that was a tough one! that last offside was a lucky break! but onwards and upwards we go!! COYG. And wish everyone here a happy new year!!
Bring on Newcastle. Hopefully Saliba and Saka can each pick up another booking so they only have to miss the Oxford match.
HNY all!
Excellent strategy and hopefully Mikel is on the ball with this one.
Unfortunately that’s not the case any more. As of this season, suspensions earned in league play are served in league matches.
Ouch, I didn’t realise that. One or both of them could be missing for Sp*rs or Man United.
Non will be missing cos the gods are pleased with us
I think yellow and red cards in the Premiership affect Premiership games, not the FA Cup. Could be wrong – perhaps someone could enlighten me here?
Either way, it’s bad enough that we have to deal with twats like Anthony Taylor dishing them out to our lads like fucking sweets without encouraging more….
Great win. A little bit scruffy at the end, but got the win.
Your name is unusual. 🙂
Is it just me or Partey leaving the field made us extremely vulnerable
Zinchenko leaving the field makes us less secure on ball… been the same all season. Been great we’re getting results without him, but he’s basically first name on the team sheet IMO. Allows us to do things we cannot otherwise without him – and that levels up our footy. That’s taking nothing away from Thomas, who is also vital. Difference being that without Zinners we are playing a relatively conventional style, with him in we’re playing a style no-one else does or can play. The contrast was very stark today when he went off (compounded by Partey going a bit… Read more »
That along with both Benny & Zinchenko comming off I think.
Brighton’s a good side. Was a bit surprised we dominated so much in the 1st half but they were bound to get back in it & it took those 3 coming off to give them the opportunity
For team cohesion throughout the whole side, Partey is probably our most important player.
Which is why we need him fresh and injury free for Newcastle and Arteta was right to sub him when he did.
Happy new year Gooners! Thank you Arsenal!!!!
“And now you better believe it” no joke. We are better than everyone! Wallop COYG!
Arteta should have waited a bit longer to change half the defense. And then Partey. He underestimated Brighton and they almost made us pay. Thankfully we held. Great result and hopefully Arteta took his lesson and he will be more cautious next time. Let’s continue winning.
Mate, we were 3-1 up with most of the game done and dusted. You can’t blame Arteta there, two great full backs for two great full backs and the dependable Elneny for a tiring Partey was sensible game management.
Brighton’s goals were against the run of play.
At 3-0 up it was a risk worth taking. Everyone can’t play 90 minutes every game. It will be the same starting 11 against Newcastle and now White, Zinchenko, Thomas will all be that bit fresher.
Nobody said they should have played full 90′ minutes. But 60th minute is very soon. The game was not over. If it was a game against a weak team then fine. But Brighton is a good team. He could have waited until 70-75th minute and if we were still 3-0 up then ok change one defender and after 5 mins another. I’m the last 15 mins, we were in serious danger to lose 2 extremely valuable points.
We won. It worked.
loved that pass to Gabi,
Weirdest subs of Mikels tenure. Why take off both FBs and CM?
Too many minutes for some in a busy period, too few minutes for others who are returning from injury.
are you retarded? we were 3-0 up and could give our good bench players some min and rest those who’ve played about every min this season.
Because, at 3-1, we were in a relatively comfortable position and we’re going to need both full backs and Partey fresh for Newcastle.
Everyone’s a world class manager with hindsight….🙄
We were 3-0 and we’re playing against the team in 3rd in 72 hours time.
Calculated risk.
Pheeew , what a ride boys? Brace yourself , the drem is well and truly alive.
I would like to say that the Nketia goal is exactly the type of goal we haven’t been getting in years because he is the only striker we have had had who gets into those poacher positions. I’m not slagging Jesus and who knows what shape the game takes with him up front…but I will say ONLY Eddie scores that 3rd goal because only he would be in there chasing that lost cause.
and the game winner
Jesus’ goal vs Spurs was similar to this. We have 2 hustling strikers in Jesus and Nketiah. Let’s hope they are both fit quickly for the rest of the season and share goals for the Arsenal!
Come on You Rip Roaring Gunners!
I remember Rip Roar on the North Bank back in the day.
Are you that gentleman, sir….?!!
Well done boys – another fantastic result. Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli and Partey all on fire. Xhaka and Eddie both had solid games. Our defence got a timely reminder about complacency but we grouped together and got the job done. No complaints from me at all about Brighton’s late rally, because the boys have done so well and anyway we needed this gentle reminder that you give everything until the final whistle. I’m sure Arteta will be addressing that back at London Colney ahead of Newcastle. Beat Newcastle and we then beat the Spuds and smash United. And I think we… Read more »
Happy New Year too.
Yeah we should be beating Newcastle at home.
As for Spuds and United, 4 points would be a decent return. We can’t win every game.
Two draws may be fine if City also drop points against them. Even the Invincibles drew 12 matches!
I like the look of Mitoma
Good player. He annoyed the shit out of me.
People are concerned about Arsenal’s next games but have you seen City’s next 5? Chelsea, United Spurs twice and Wolves. That’s tough, Spurs has 3 tough games while United have both us and City. Everyone will have a tough.
Exactly what I was saying whilst they were talking about our fixtures on Sky.
Brentford and Everton getting points against City ought to be a reminder to everyone that Pep & Co aren’t Invincibles – as much as the media would have us all believe.
The belief starts with The Arsenal!!
COYG
I’m going to say it . . . it’s time to start believing it could happen.
HNY Gooners.
He did look, but what a pass!
I love this teqm
Ropey at the end but still a huge imrovement over a bogeu team
Who’d have thunk the mighty city could fail to win the league with the supposed best striker in the world added to their squad, and that we might now have a better midfielder (Ode) than the much lauded De Bruyne, and could win it with a Hale End graduate up front.
Strange but happy days indeed. HNY all.
Loved that while he could have squared to Saka, Martinelli poked that goal home. He looked like a man on a mission and he needed that. Lamptey had a fairly good game against him and I felt he needed the goal to stamp out any nonsense talk that he’d been pocketed by Lamptey.
Yeah, you’re right about Lamptey having a good game against Martinelli, but at the end of the day Martinelli was directly involved in 3 of our goals.