Arsenal survive late Brighton rally to go seven points clear

Arsenal ended 2022 with a bang and moved seven points clear at the top of the Premier League with a 4-2 win at Brighton.

Following Manchester City's 1-1 draw with Everton earlier in the day, Arsenal seized their opportunity, taking the lead inside two minutes from Bukayo Saka's confident finish. Martin Odegaard then struck before half-time before Eddie Nketiah made it two goals in two games since replacing the injured Gabriel Jesus.

Kaoru Mitoma reduced the deficit for Brighton but Gabriel Martinelli rubberstamped the victory after an outrageous assist from Odegaard.

Evan Ferguson, 18, became Brighton's youngest-ever Premier League scorer and Arsenal survived a late wobble when Mitoma had the ball in the net for 4-3 with stoppage-time to come but the goal was ruled out by VAR for offside.

Arsenal saw it out and have now won nine of their last 10 Premier League games and have put themselves in a fantastic position to win their first league title since 2003/04.

Arsenal face Newcastle on Tuesday at the Emirates Stadium, live on Sky Sports, which means they could be 10 points clear by the time City visit Chelsea next Thursday at Stamford Bridge. The Gunners are seven points clear after 16 games, a lead no previous Premier League leader has surrendered.

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