- Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League after a 3-0 win over Brighton
- Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard were all on target at the Amex
- Jurgen Klopp has the eye of the tiger! He hasn’t seemed so confident since 2019. Listen to the It all starts podcast
Stylish Arsenal returned to pole position in the Premier League title race after beating Brighton, a victory that saw them trail Liverpool and Manchester City.
Just hours after City thrashed Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, the pressure was once again on Mikel Arteta’s contenders to respond on the south coast.
An ice-cold first-half penalty from Bukayo Saka, awarded after Tariq Lamptey’s dangling leg struck Gabriel Jesus, gave the visitors the lead at the break.
They then doubled their lead through Kai Havertz’s poacher shortly after the hour, before Leandro Trossard scored against his former club.
Here, Mailsport‘s ISAAN KHAN rated the players…
Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League after a 3-0 win over Brighton
Goals from Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard saw Arsenal leapfrog Liverpool
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ARSENAL (4-3-3)
DAVID RAYA 7
Great save against Julio Enciso after 44 minutes. Neat pass from the back too.
AM WHITE 6.5
Was involved in a few heated battles with his old club, but kept a cool head and defended well.
Ben White was involved in a number of heated battles against his old club but remained calm
WILLEM SALIBA 7.5
A calm presence in the back. In the right positions when necessary.
GABRIEL 7
He endangered his defensive partner Saliba a few times. A few excellent heading opportunities were created from corners in the first half.
OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO 6.5
Was more cautious on defense than usual, which paid off.
MARTIJN ODEGAARD 7
In the 54th minute a shot went over the crossbar via Bart Verbruggen’s fingertips. Helped build the game, tracking forward and back.
Martin Odegaard helped Arsenal build a lead and saw a stinging shot knocked over
JORGINHO 6.5
Composed, but struggled at times with the pace of the game. Nice cross to assist Kai Havertz.
DECLAN RICE 7.5
A pivot in the middle. Kept calm in tight spaces.
Declan Rice was a pivot in the middle for the visitors and remained calm in tight spaces
BUKAYO SAKA 7.5
There were threats early in the first half. His penalty was executed perfectly.
KAI HAVERTZ 8.5
While the visitors sang: ‘Kai Havertz scores again’. That’s five goals in seven league matches. Effective connecting play throughout the match.
Havertz scored his fifth goal in seven league matches after tapping in from close range
GABRIEL JESUS 6.5
Won a penalty to give Arsenal the lead. Moments of dribbling magic. Too wasteful for the purpose.
Gabriel Jesus won a penalty late in the first half but was too wasteful in front of goal
REPLACEMENTS
LEANDRO TROSSARD 7
The points were sealed with a graceful chip past the goalkeeper.
Substitute Leandro Trossard sealed the points with a deft chip at his old stomping ground
GABRIEL MARTINELLI 6.5
Make a defensive shift.
TAKEHIRO TOMIYASU: 6.5
Helped keep a clean sheet.
Manager: MIKEL ARTETA 7
Removed Saka early to keep him and rotated his players well.
Mikel Arteta rotated his players well and will be happy that his team is back at the top
BRIGHTON (4-2-3-1)
Bridge 6; Lamptey 6.5, Van Hecke 6, Dunk 5.5, Estupinan 6; Baleba 6, gross 6; Adingra 7, Moder 6 (Buoananotte 63min, 6), Enciso 6.5 (Pedro 63, 6); Welbeck 6
Manager: ROBERTO DE ZERBI6
Referee: JOHN BROOKS 6.5
Kept an eye on things when tensions rose.