Bukayo Saka's first-half strike earned Arsenal a crucial 1-0 win at Brighton as they took full advantage of Manchester City's shock 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest to move seven points clear at the top of the Premier League. Mikel Arteta's side were far from their best at the Amex Stadium, but Saka's ninth-minute effort gave them something to hang onto, and with Gabriel Magalhaes colossal at the back they ground out a huge win on what could prove to be a pivotal night in the title race.
Having secured back-to-back victories in London derbies, this was always going to be a huge game for Arsenal as they looked to at least maintain their advantage over City ahead of the FA Cup fifth-round weekend. And, after surviving an early scare when Gabriel was forced to head off his own line following a poor clearance from David Raya, they hit the front through Saka.
Making his 300th appearance for his boyhood club, Arsenal's stand-in skipper for the night cut in from the right having received a pass from Jurrien Timber and fired in a shot which took a deflection off Carlos Baleba and deceived Bart Verbruggen in the Brighton goal.
Arsenal struggled to build on that opener, with Brighton causing them plenty of problems in the first half, but the visitors survived some nervy moments to take a firm grip at the top of the table thanks to Nottingham Forest's heroics in Manchester.
GOAL rates Arsenal's players from the Amex Stadium...