Win at Brighton sets Arsenal up for strong Prem finish

BRIGHTON, England — If there’s credence to the concept that Arsenal’s title probabilities could possibly be determined by their away type within the run-in to the top of the season, then the Gunners’ 3-0 win at Brighton on Saturday gives actual hope they won’t falter.

Every recreation will probably be important in what seems prefer it’ll be essentially the most intently contested three-way Premier League title race in reminiscence, however Arsenal’s journey to the Amex Stadium is the second in a run of tough exams on the street that punctuate the ultimate few weeks like banana skins within the street.

After displaying their defensive resilience to earn a draw at Manchester City final weekend, Arsenal once more confirmed their self-discipline at Brighton. Only this time, the Gunners added efficiency of their assault harking back to the beginning of 2024 once they had been emphatically beating opponents with ease. They have nonetheless not trailed for a single minute in a league recreation this calendar yr.

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Arsenal did want a Thirty third-minute penalty from Bukayo Saka to edge a primary half. The Gunners created the higher probabilities by far, but nonetheless regarded in some jeopardy when Brighton aligned their clever press to extra incisive passing.

Still, Arsenal largely saved the house aspect at arm’s size, with their closest name coming when goalkeeper David Raya needed to make an outstanding save at full stretch to disclaim Julio Enciso shortly earlier than half-time. In the second half, the Gunners took management with the type of authority normally reserved for Manchester City or Liverpool given the stakes in play.

Kai Havertz continued his spectacular development of influencing video games in a decisive trend, slotting house a second purpose on 62 minutes earlier than aiding a late third as substitute Leandro Trossard surged clear on the counter assault earlier than lifting a intelligent finish over Bart Verbruggen.

Winning right here doesn’t make subsequent away video games at Wolves, Tottenham and Manchester United any simpler, in fact. But the conviction of their play towards a Brighton staff that hadn’t misplaced a league match since August serves as each a lift to their confidence and a benchmark to hit in these fixtures that stay.

This away win is very related to an Arsenal staff that, in final season’s run-in, drew at Liverpool and West Ham earlier than shedding at City and Nottingham Forest.

Arteta was requested afterwards on Saturday whether or not a win like this may give his gamers extra perception for these away days forward, and he clearly feels emboldened by their show.

“Yes, it does because this is a really, really tough place to come,” he stated. “And to come here and win in the manner and the form we have done. Hopefully yes and we can carry on doing what we’re doing.

“At the top it’s about performances. You should earn the fitting to win video games on this league. The groups, they ask you numerous questions and there are numerous issues it’s a must to management in a Premier League match to win away from house and the staff appears to be controlling these moments significantly better.

“We have been comfortable in different stages of games when the teams are demanding other stuff. That’s a big step as team.”

Havertz gained the 2021 Champions League with Chelsea — scoring the profitable purpose within the last towards City — however by no means totally satisfied at Stamford Bridge. Sources near the participant insist he suffered each with damage and likewise the calls for of differing kinds because the Blues switched managers from Thomas Tuchel to Graham Potter after which to Frank Lampard.

Arteta, nevertheless, has unlocked a consistency in Havertz’s play and within the centre-forward position he was typically derided for in a Chelsea shirt. It is round two months because the 24-year-old started taking part in usually by means of the center, and the returns have been extraordinarily worthwhile: 5 objectives and three assists now from his previous seven begins.

Havertz’s 9 league objectives is his finest return in an English season. He is in peril of turning into the striker many demanded Arsenal check in January.

“A lot of times players decide where they have to play,” stated Arteta. “We can have certain ideas but then you see certain relationships and sometimes it flows.

“When it flows it’s a must to let it go. I believe Kai at the second is flowing. He is admittedly comfy there and the staff is admittedly comfy with him there and the remainder of it’s occurring naturally.”

At the back, Arsenal continue to look almost impenetrable. Brighton managed 10 shots but only recorded an expected goals figure of 0.53 with Danny Welbeck unable to unsettle the stoic centre-back partnership of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes. Significantly, today marked the first time the Gunners have kept five consecutive clean sheets away from home in the Premier League since April 1997.

Brighton’s Carlos Baleba did his finest to disrupt Arsenal’s rhythm in midfield, however Declan Rice and Jorginho established a level of control they never truly looked like relinquishing. In 11 league games since the turn of the year, Arsenal are unbeaten with 10 wins, scoring 38 goals and conceding only four. They ended Saturday at the top of the table and improving their goal difference even further to hold a nine-goal advantage over Liverpool and 11 over City.

The tests will continue — and last season’s late slump when eight points clear means there are still questions to answer — but Luton boss Rob Edwards said after his team lost at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday that Arsenal “can play any type of recreation — if it is a bodily recreation, if it is a footballing recreation, if it is a working recreation — no matter it’s, they have the reply.”

It is tough to disagree on this proof, even when they’re nonetheless reliant on Liverpool dropping factors over the subsequent few weeks to win their first title since 2004.

Shortly after full-time, a rainbow emerged over the stand the place Arsenal’s travelling help had been housed. Time will inform if a pot of gold sits at the top of it however the Gunners are presently having fun with these away days far more than many anticipated.