Big, big performance – Mikel Arteta hails Arsenal’s win over Brighton
Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard scored in a 3-0 success to take the Gunners top of the league.
Mikel Arteta, left, hailed his players’ performance (Gareth Fuller/PA) (PA Wire)
Mikel Arteta celebrated a “big, big performance” as Arsenal ended Brighton’s remarkable home run with a resounding 3-0 victory, regaining top spot in the Premier League.
The Gunners, who are vying for the title, came to the Amex Stadium in third place in the standings after Manchester City’s 4-2 victory at Crystal Palace in Saturday’s midday match.
Bukayo Saka’s penalty kick in the 33rd minute put Arteta’s team on track to reclaim the top spot, and goals in the second half from Kai Havertz and substitute Leandro Trossard clinched the victory.
The outcome, which is Albion’s first home loss in the top league in more than seven months, gives Arsenal a one-point advantage over City and Liverpool, who play their match on Sunday at rival Manchester United.
Gunners manager Arteta stated, “I’m really happy, really proud of the boys.”
They defeated this outstanding Brighton team with an incredible display of play.
“We were really good today, but you can tell how difficult the task is because they haven’t lost here since August.”
Fit once more Saka was called up after missing the 2-0 victory over Luton throughout the week due to a muscle ailment.
When Seagulls full-back Tariq Lamptey was called for bringing down Gabriel Jesus even though he had only touched the top of the ball, the England forward scored from the penalty spot.
After 28 minutes of play, Havertz rewarded Arsenal’s dominance by tapping in Jorginho’s center, and in the last moments of the game, substitute Trossard raced half the length of the field to further inflict pain on his former team.
“Today’s attacking players had excellent understanding with one another,” Arteta remarked.
“We created many opportunities, and they had a real purpose and connection.”
Arsenal finished last season with a commanding lead in the division until a late collapse in the closing stages.
With seven games remaining in 2024, the Gunners have won 10 of their 11 top-flight matches. They take on Bayern Munich in their two-leg Champions League quarterfinal on Tuesday night.
Arteta declared, “We are in a really good moment.”
Because they are playing so well and helping us win a lot of games, our squad is healthy, full of energy, and confident both individually and collectively.
“We simply need to keep doing what we’re doing.”
Brighton’s hopes of competing in European football for a second straight season were dashed as they fell to 10th place, below Chelsea on goal differential.
Injury-prone Albion faltered after a strong start and posed little threat to David Raya, the goalkeeper for the Gunners.
The Seagulls’ manager, Roberto De Zerbi, encouraged his team to go on right away and expressed no displeasure with the way Arsenal’s penalty was awarded.
Regarding the spot-kick, he stated, “I thought it was clear but I don’t want to speak about the decisions of the referee.”
“It was not the referee’s fault that we lost.
“Up until we gave up the second goal, we played well, but we didn’t shoot well enough to win. We lacked the strength to win.
“Among the top teams in the Premier League is Arsenal.” That was known prior to the game.
Our fight was civilized.
“The penalty was evident, and we are moving forward with our efforts to work more efficiently, develop our young players, heal the eight injured players, and compete to finish the season in the European positions.”