Ødegaard on Target as Arsenal Grind Out Narrow Win Over Brighton

Martin Ødegaard scored his first goal of the season as Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League table with a tense 2–1 victory over Brighton at the Emirates Stadium.

Mikel Arteta’s side began their penultimate fixture of the year trailing Manchester City by a point, but took an early lead when Ødegaard struck after 14 minutes. Brighton then suffered further misfortune early in the second half when Georginio Rutter headed Declan Rice’s corner into his own net, before Diego Gómez’s emphatic finish shortly after the hour mark set up a nervy conclusion.

Goalkeeper David Raya produced a crucial diving save to deny Yankuba Minteh with 15 minutes remaining — an intervention that could yet prove pivotal in Arsenal’s pursuit of a first league title in 20 years.

The win moves Arsenal two points clear of City ahead of their final match of the calendar year, a home fixture against third-placed Aston Villa on Tuesday. Brighton, meanwhile, have collected just two points from their last five matches and drop to 12th in the table.

Defensive Worries for Arteta

Arteta’s defensive concerns deepened even before kick-off, with Riccardo Calafiori ruled out after sustaining an injury during the warm-up. Jurriën Timber and Ben White were already unavailable, while Cristhian Mosquera also remains sidelined.

Declan Rice was again deployed at right-back and impressed in an unfamiliar role, while Gabriel, absent since early November, made his return as a second-half substitute.

Fast Start Brings Early Reward

With Manchester City having won earlier in the day at Nottingham Forest, the pressure was on an Arsenal side that have finished as runners-up in each of the past three seasons.

The hosts responded positively. Viktor Gyökeres should have done better inside two minutes when he side-footed straight at Bart Verbruggen, while Bukayo Saka soon burst past Maxim de Cuyper only to see his close-range effort kept out by the Brighton goalkeeper.

Saka then fired over before Arsenal capitalised on a costly error from Verbruggen. Martín Zubimendi reacted quickest to a loose clearance, and Rice’s header found Saka, who teed up Ødegaard. Given too much space, the captain steadied himself before drilling a low left-footed shot into the bottom corner.

Arsenal continued to threaten, with half-chances for Saka and Rice, while Verbruggen was forced into a smart save to deny Zubimendi following a goalmouth scramble. The Brighton goalkeeper was fortunate to escape with only a yellow card after clattering into Gyökeres shortly before half-time.

Set-Piece Strength and Late Nerves

Arsenal doubled their lead seven minutes after the restart when Rutter, left unmarked, glanced Rice’s corner into his own net at the near post. It marked another successful set-piece for Arteta’s side and their fourth own goal benefitting them across three home matches.

Gyökeres later saw an effort blocked as his wait for an open-play goal stretched to seven matches, but Arsenal appeared comfortable until Brighton found a route back into the game.

Yasin Ayari’s strike cannoned off the post before Gómez rifled home the rebound, instantly shifting the momentum. Raya then produced an outstanding fingertip save to keep out Minteh’s curling effort as anxiety spread around the Emirates.

Arsenal’s recent habit of conceding late goals threatened to resurface, and Arteta cut a frustrated figure when substitute Gabriel Martinelli blazed over from six yards with five minutes remaining.

However, the hosts held firm to secure three valuable points and maintain their advantage over Pep Guardiola’s in-form Manchester City at the summit of the Premier League.