Arsenal are back to the top of the Premier League as Mikel Arteta's genius tactic has continued to pull in the three points for the Gunners
16:56, 27 Dec 2025Updated 17:12, 27 Dec 2025
Mikel Arteta's genius strategy saw the Gunners win
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Mikel Arteta's genius strategy saw the Gunners win(Image: Getty Images)
Arsenal were knocked off their Premier League perch for all of a couple of hours as the Gunners climbed back to the top as Mikel Arteta pulled out a tried and trusted tactic.
At the heart of it all was Declan Rice, who has defined so much of Arsenal’s play over the past 12 months and again proved to be the catalyst for Arteta’s side.
His inch-perfect deliveries have become a central weapon in the Gunners’ armoury, consistently finding one of Arteta’s towering defenders inside the penalty area. However, on Saturday, it was a Brighton own-goal that was the defining moment.
Arsenal have moved back to the top of the Premier League
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Arsenal have moved back to the top of the Premier League(Image: AP)
Martin Odegaard had fired the Gunners ahead in the 14th minute - and they doubled their lead through yet another set-piece.
Corners, for Arsenal, have been a major goal scoring opportunity throughout the campaign for Arteta's side. And it's a skill that has been acquired through hours and hours of practice on the training ground.
It looked like Arsenal were cruising to three points, but Diego Gomez slotted the ball past David Raya after Yasin Ayari's shot came back off the post.
Gabriel
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Gabriel made his return on Saturday afternoon(Image: PA)
Goals change games and the Emirates, that has been buoyant was suddenly filled with nerves as the Seagulls pushed for an unlikely equaliser - after being out on their feet while two goals down.
Yankuba Minteh had a golden edged chance, but Arsenal were kept ahead by a brilliant save from Raya.
And there was more room to celebrate when Gabriel made his return to action after an injury in November.
Arsenal navigated a nervy ending after Brighton pulled a goal back
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Arsenal navigated a nervy ending after Brighton pulled a goal back(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Arsenal needed a result on Saturday, with Manchester City looking more and more like the side that would steamroll the league for the better part of the past decade.
City beat Nottingham Forest at lunchtime, and Pep Guardiola's side looked to be playing with a kind of freedom that Arsenal desperately need.
The Gunners are already looking nervous towards the end of game, and we're not in the New Year yet.