Arsenal continued to chase their dream of winning the Premier League title with a 3-0 victory over host Brighton on Saturday during Matchday 32. The Gunners' trio of goals came from Bukayo Saka via a penalty, Kai Havertz, and Leandro Trossard in the 33rd, 62nd, and 86th minutes respectively. Arsenal temporarily returned to the top of the table with 71 points, while Brighton remained stagnant at 43 points in 10th place.
Arsenal's usual weapon, set pieces, nearly gave them an early goal just two minutes into the match, when Odegaard delivered a precise cross that Gabriel met with a powerful header, narrowly missing the post. Brighton had to wait until the ninth minute to register their first shot on target with Enciso, but his effort sailed over the bar.
Saka then made an incursion into Brighton's penalty area from the right, firing a shot towards the corner, though it lacked accuracy and veered wide of the goal. Brighton's goalkeeper Verbruggen made a brilliant save, deflecting a low effort from Jesus into a corner. Jesus threatened the hosts' goal again with a strong header from a well-placed cross by Havertz, but the ball went off target.
On the other side, Adingra made a solo effort reaching Arsenal's penalty area, attempting a powerful shot to the top right corner, but the ball went wide. As Jesus ventured into the penalty area from the left, he was fouled by Lamptey, resulting in a penalty awarded to Arsenal, confirmed by VAR. Saka stepped up to convert the penalty, placing it accurately into the net for the Gunners' first goal.
Enciso tried to threaten the visitors' goal with a curled shot from the left, but David Raya made a great save, turning it into a corner. The following minutes passed without further action until the end of the first half. Brighton attempted to press early in the second half to level the score, but David Raya had little trouble parrying Enciso's shot right into his hands.
Havertz sent the ball into the penalty area where Jesus connected with a powerful header, but it went wide of the left post. Verbruggen then denied Odegaard from doubling Arsenal's lead, saving a powerful shot from the Norwegian which turned into another corner.
Arsenal extended their lead when Jorginho received a penetrating pass on the right side of the penalty area, drove the ball forward, and sent a low cross toward Havertz, who finished it off inside the net. Trossard, who had come on as a substitute, threatened Brighton's goal early with a run that ended in a low, curling shot, which the home keeper turned into a corner.
Trossard successfully intercepted a ball in the midfield, passing it to Havertz, who returned it to him, allowing for a quick counterattack. Trossard carried the ball towards goal unmarked before lifting a chip over the keeper, extending the Gunners' lead with a third goal in the 86th minute. The match concluded with Arsenal winning 3-0.
