Arsenal secured a comfortable 3-0 victory over Brighton at the Amex Stadium to go top of the Premier League.
Hayters TV’s Dan Ludlam looks at five big talking points from the game…
Arsenal pass first acid test
Embed from Getty ImagesThere can be no doubts that Arsenal have the most difficult run in of the three title chasers and this victory puts to bed any questions marks regarding whether Mikel Arteta’s side can last the distance.
While not at their most fluent best, Arsenal found a way to win as they so often have under Arteta and this performance had all the hallmarks of potential champions.
Saliba and Garbriel continue to marshal unbreachable defence
Embed from Getty ImagesArsenal have conceded just four league goals in 2024 with William Saliba and Gabriel continuing to prove that they are perhaps the best central defensive partnership in the Premier League.
The unshakable duo barely looked flustered as Brighton struggled to lay a glove on Arsenal, who claimed their 14th clean sheet of the season. An outstanding record and the Gunners’ two central defenders have a lot to do with that.
Kai Havertz scores again!
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Arsenal frontman’s impressive run of goalscoring continued as he tucked away their second goal and the German’s all round play was excellent too. Defenders now seem to be drawn towards Havertz which leaves the likes of Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus to roam free, and Arteta will be delighted to have the 24-year-old as his main focal point heading into the final part of the season.
His days playing in midfield under Arteta look to be over given his recent run of scoring form and after a less than ideal start to life at the club, he is starting to look worth the significant sub they paid for him.
Brighton’s European dreams fading
Roberto De Zerbi cut a frustrated figure on the sidelines for much of the evening as Brighton slipped to their third defeat in five games. Injuries and misfortune have continued to plague Brighton for much of the season and any realistic hopes of qualifying for Europe for a second successive campaign appear to be fading in what has been a slightly underwhelming season for the Seagulls.
Trossard back to haunt his former club
Embed from Getty ImagesTo make matters even worse for De Zerbi, Leandro Trossard returned to the Amex to put the gloss on a fine away performance from Arsenal. Trossard left Brighton last January in acrimonious circumstances and as the Belgian broke through from his own half and dinked the ball into the net, the Amex quickly emptied. Having an option like Trossard off the bench is so valuable for this Arsenal side.
