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Gunners return to top with nervy win
The Gunners were grateful to some heroics from their goalkeeper.
Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League table with a 2-1 win over Brighton and Hove Albion.
Displaced by Manchester City following their win at Nottingham Forest earlier on Saturday, Arsenal put themselves in control thanks to a sweeping finish from Martin Odegaard and a Georginio Rutter own goal.
However, Diego Gomez frayed nerves with his 64th-minute strike, and Arsenal were grateful to David Raya for a stunning save to deny Yankuba Minteh an equaliser.
Arsenal are two points clear of City, but a greater test lies ahead for the Gunners as Aston Villa visit Emirates Stadium on Tuesday looking to complete a league double after winning the reverse fixture at Villa Park earlier this month.
Arsenal captain gets Gunners on the way
Arsenal took the lead the in the 14th minute as they punished Bart Verbruggen for a poor goal-kick, Odegaard meeting Bukayo Saka’s pull-back and firing home from the edge of the area.
The hosts continued to dictate first-half proceedings without adding to their tally, though Verbruggen was forced into a fine reflex save to deny Martin Zubimendi shortly before half-time, with former Brighton star Leandro Trossard shooting over the crossbar on the follow-up.
Verbruggen was arguably somewhat fortunate to escape with a yellow card soon after when he fouled Viktor Gyokeres wide on the left.
Raya to the rescue
But fortune was on Arsenal’s side seven minutes into the second half, Declan Rice rewarded for a superb delivery from a corner when Rutter inadvertently diverted into his own net.
At that point it appeared as if Arsenal were home and dry, but a lifeline came out of the blue from Gomez, who halved the deficit by converting on the rebound after Yasin Ayari had hit the post.
That goal created a nervous atmosphere, and it required a stunning fingertip save from Raya to keep out Minteh’s header and prevent tension from turning to despair among the Arsenal fans.
Raya’s reflexes ultimately proved to be the difference between victory and a significant setback in the title race. However, Arsenal will need to be much more convincing going forward if they are to hold off City.
