Arsenal edged past Brighton 1-0 at the Amex Stadium to strengthen their grip on the Premier League title race, with Bukayo Saka’s early strike proving the difference on the South Coast.
The visitors survived an early scare inside three minutes when David Raya, on his 100th Premier League appearance for the club, gifted possession to Carlos Baleba.
The midfielder attempted an audacious lob, but Gabriel recovered superbly to head over his own bar and spare his goalkeeper’s blushes.
Arsenal responded. In the ninth minute, Jurrien Timber advanced down the right and found Saka, who cut inside onto his left foot.
His low effort carried minimal power, yet a slight deflection off Baleba wrong-footed Bart Verbruggen and the ball slipped through the goalkeeper.
Brighton controlled large spells thereafter, probing through Georginio Rutter and Diego Gomez, while Kaoru Mitoma threatened before the break.
However, clear chances remained limited. Arsenal, often conservative after taking the lead, struggled to impose much control and failed to win a first-half corner.
After the interval, Fabian Hurzeler introduced Yankuba Minteh to inject some more urgency. The hosts pushed Arsenal deeper, with Rutter forcing a sharp save from Raya and Jack Hinshelwood flashing an effort across goal.
Substitutions followed on both sides, including the introduction of Danny Welbeck against his former club.
Arsenal had opportunities to seal the result, most notably when Kai Havertz was denied at the near post by Verbruggen.
As seven minutes of added time were signalled, Brighton threw bodies forward, but the Gunners’ defence, saw out a massive win.
