Arsenal beat Brighton: Five talking points as Gunners send big title statement to Man City | Football | Sport
Arsenal responded to Manchester City and Newcastle both dropping points on Saturday by surviving a late onslaught to beat Brighton 4-2. Mikel Arteta’s side are now seven points clear of reigning Premier League champions City after goals from Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Martinelli did the damage.
Here are five takeaways from the encounter from Express Sport…
Saka returns from World Cup with a bang
Saka has returned from a fantastic World Cup in fantastic form. The winger, who bagged three times for England in Qatar, has struck twice for the Gunners in his two appearances since his Premier League comeback.
An excellent finish inside two minutes set the tone for a comfortable win over Brighton. It followed a driving effort into the far corner against West Ham, proving that the academy graduate has added a ruthless and clinical edge to his game.
Saka now has 10 goals for the season for club and country. He should surely be targeting 20 before the campaign closes.
JUST IN: Newcastle ‘ready to splurge’ on Tottenham and Arsenal target Zaniolo
Odegaard leading by example
Eyebrows were raised when Odegaard was made club captain by Mikel Arteta in the summer. But the Norwegian – who also skippers his national team – has stepped up and become a true leader this season.
The 24-year-old is blossoming into the complete midfielder and has added quality in the final third. He assisted twice against West Ham, struck home the second goal against Brighton and played a wonderful pass for Gabriel Martinelli to finish the fourth.
His goal takes him to seven for the campaign, while he has assisted five times. His improved contribution to goals has been a key addition to Arsenal’s repertoire.
Man City’s unenvious run
Premier League title rivals Manchester City seem unlikely to catch Arsenal any time soon. Pep Guardiola’s side dropped points yet again on Saturday afternoon, drawing 1-1 at home to lowly Everton.
They face Chelsea twice, Manchester United, Tottenham and an FA Cup visit to Southampton among their next five games. A gruelling schedule is likely to be harsh on the legs of a team chasing the league leaders.
DON’T MISS…
Arsene Wenger delivers Arsenal title verdict ahead of Brighton clash
Arsenal stars shine as Saka and Odegaard dazzle with Partey v Brighton
Saliba has same view on signing Arsenal contract as several team-mates
Arsenal to strengthen in January window
Arsenal will double down on their Premier League title challenge in the January transfer window. Arteta and sporting director Edu will go all-out to ensure the club lifts its first league title of the Emirates Stadium era.
That is despite winning the league seeming beyond their wildest expectations back in August.
Ukrainian starlet Mykhaylo Mudryk is reportedly Arsenal’s top target. Shakhtar Donetsk are demanding around £80m for the winger, although there is some suggestion that the price tag can be negotiated down.
A midfielder is also expected to be acquired over the coming month. Improved depth and fresh impetus will drive Arsenal towards the Premier League title.
Nketiah firing
Just as concerns were raised over the absence of Gabriel Jesus, his replacement, Nketiah, has found form. The striker, a fantastic goal-poacher, has improved his all-round game and become a top centre-forward.
Nketiah is now justifying the mega contract he was handed in the summer and is repaying the huge faith shown by Arteta. With England struggling to find a back-up to Harry Kane, it cannot be out of the question that the Three Lions U21s’ top scorer will be considered for the senior side soon.
