Mikel Arteta savoured a “large, large efficiency” after Arsenal reclaimed prime spot within the Premier League by ending Brighton’s spectacular residence kind with a thumping 3-0 victory.
The title-chasing Gunners arrived on the Amex Stadium having dropped to 3rd place within the desk following Manchester Metropolis’s 4-2 success at Crystal Palace in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off.
Bukayo Saka set Arteta’s males on track to return to the summit by changing a Thirty third-minute penalty earlier than second-half objectives from Kai Havertz and substitute Leandro Trossard accomplished a complete win.
The outcome – Albion’s first top-flight residence loss in additional than seven months – places Arsenal a degree forward of each Liverpool, who play their recreation in hand at rivals Manchester United on Sunday, and Metropolis.
“I’m actually blissful, actually happy with the boys,” mentioned Gunners boss Arteta.
“They put in an enormous, large efficiency to beat this nice Brighton facet.
“They haven’t misplaced right here since August and that tells you the problem of the duty however we had been actually good in the present day.”
Match-again Saka was recalled after sitting out the 2-0 midweek win over Luton with a muscular downside.
The England ahead scored from the spot when Seagulls full-back Tariq Lamptey was penalised for bringing down Gabriel Jesus, regardless of brushing the highest of the ball.
Havertz rewarded Arsenal’s dominance by tapping residence Jorginho’s centre 28 minutes from time earlier than substitute Trossard ran half the size of the pitch to rub salt into the injuries of his former membership late on.
“The understanding between the attacking gamers in the present day was very good,” mentioned Arteta.
“That they had actual objective and connection and we created many possibilities.”
Arsenal led the division for a lot of final season earlier than falling quick within the ultimate weeks.
The Gunners, who start their two-legged Champions League quarter-final towards Bayern Munich on Tuesday night, have received 10 of 11 top-flight fixtures in 2024, with seven video games to go.
“We’re in a extremely good second,” mentioned Arteta.
“We’ve the squad wholesome, with a extremely good vitality, with a variety of confidence individually and collectively as a result of they’re performing very well and we’re successful a variety of matches.
“We simply have to hold on doing what we’re doing.”
Brighton dropped to tenth place, beneath Chelsea on aim distinction, as their quest for a second successive season of European soccer suffered a setback.
Harm-hit Albion light from a constructive begin and barely threatened Gunners goalkeeper David Raya.
Seagulls boss Roberto De Zerbi had no complaints concerning the award of Arsenal’s penalty and urged his gamers to rapidly transfer on.
“I assumed it was clear however I don’t wish to converse concerning the selections of the referee,” he mentioned of the spot-kick.
“We misplaced not for the referee’s accountability.
“We performed recreation till the second aim we conceded however we didn’t shoot sufficient to attain. We weren’t robust sufficient to attain.
“Arsenal are probably the greatest groups within the Premier League. We knew that earlier than the sport.
“We fought in a great way.
“The penalty was clear and we transfer on making an attempt to work higher, to enhance our younger gamers, to get well our eight injured gamers, and we attempt to compete to achieve one other season within the European positions.”