Arsenal hold on to first place despite a scare at Brighton

The Gunners are top of the Premier League table heading into the New Year after defeating Brighton at the Amex Stadium on Saturday, New Year’s Eve.

Arsenal defeated Brighton 4-2 after Brighton attempted a dramatic comeback in the game, which was thwarted by VAR, who cancelled Brighton’s third goal for offside in the 90th minute.

Bukayo Saka scored the opening goal for the Gunners in the second minute, captain Martin Odegaard doubled the scoreline in the 39th minute, and Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma scored just before halftime, 45′.

Arsenal came back strongly in the second half, with Eddie Nketiah scoring just after halftime, 47′, and Gabriel Martinelli making it four with a superb strike in the 71st minute.

Brighton’s second goal, scored by Evan Ferguson in the 77th minute, was cancelled by VAR for offside, which came as a relief to the Gunners.

Arsenal are now seven points clear at the top of the table with 43 points, while champions Manchester City are second with 36 points.

Brighton and Hove Albion drop to eighth place in the league table with 24 points.