Arsenal kept chasing their first Premier League title in 20 years by winning against Brighton and moving to the top.
Mikel Arteta’s team have amassed another three points which not only puts them on top of the Premier League title race but also beside Liverpool who is still close on their heels. The Merseyside Reds and the Devils will face each other on Sunday as part of the Community Shield final. Another team from the city of Manchester with the name of City similar to the former was also playing before and lost 4-2 to Crystal Palace.
Bukayo Saka came back to the team after the previous one was skipped. The injury was just minor. Brave like a bull, he converted a penalty in the first half, given by French referee Jesuala Catholic Sinatra after Tariq Lamptey fouled on Gabriel Jesus.
David Raya performed unquestionably, and he put in a marvelous save just before halftime to stop that match ball, which was an amazing long shot from Julio Enciso. Then, that was the first at Brighton for a shot on target, but Raya made sure that the Arsenal were still leading.
Following was the goal hit in by Kai Havertz and Arsenal was a little bit more comfortable with 1:0 on the scoreboard. Such a goal relaxed completely the fans of Arsenal who had been worrying about an equalizer for the past hour.
What I noticed was Leandro Trossard who used to play for Brighton. By the way, it was Bart Verbruggen who ‘stopped’ Trossard from touching the ball right after Havertz passed him the ball.
What is important is that afterward, Trossard didn’t make even any mistake when he got the ball from Havertz and calmly lifted it over the Seagulls goalkeeper to make sure
Alas, Brighton came 10th, and therefore their chances to get to European football even for a second time decreased, as West Ham and Newcastle whom Brighton couldn’t hold took the first two places in the table.
Even looking at Arsenal they are still flawless at the moment.
Arsenal fandom would not have forgotten it this time, around a year ago, when they had started to lose their grip on the Premier League title. They were starting 8th April with an eight-point lead, yet it disappeared.
Now, in the remaining seven games, no sign of waving-a-white flag coming their way. In addition to the other 2 teams, they are making the competition fierce for the league leaders.
The club that faced a tough year just last season with the progress they’ve made in the past 12 months – the draw drawn last week against the champion Manchester City – it seems that the Arsenal squad is becoming stronger as they aim for their first league title since 2004.
They’ve been winners 10 times out of their last league’s 11 games, earning 31 from the 33 available points, and they have the mastery of a 38 -4 score.
Meanwhile, his colleagues had succeeded in a match in which Saka missed to win the title but today, his value was displayed by the efforts of his side, which is more likely to win the title from his side. Arsenal academy graduate and English international Bukayo Saka has now earned a 30-goal involvement in 39 games this season.
In the opening two minutes, Gabriel had a clear opportunity from Odegaard’s witty free-kick, only to send a header far off target. However, after that, Saka seemed eager to create a goal for the away team and made a perfect cut inside to use his left foot, but he ended up boosting the ball too wide eventually.
But what’s good for him has been good for the team. He has the same number of goals in league as the two seasons ago. He scored a confident penalty kick this afternoon, signaling that the team is maturing.
Working in tandem with the Arsenal, Havertz is also in great shape, adding to this period which is just the right time for the Gunners. Diego Costa, the former Chelsea player, has garnered nine direct goal involvements, including five, in seven consecutive league games.
Manager Arteta said: “Wi is aje; asikali romo.” Team bond has been a crucial component of our success because it has been through the thick and thin that we’ve been able to play as a team.
“Not only have we hired a new stellar personnel but also added some top players onto the team which is a tremendous advantage.” Our team is coming along well, and we’re now aiming for a positive trend in it.
“As soon as I hear this line, I am taken back to where I was a few months ago, and I am amazed that my enthusiasm and drive are just the same as they were during the first week of the season. I’m not only loving it and enjoying the moment, but I also believe that we still have greater achievements ahead!”
Arsenal is highly likely to face a more challenging haul of fixtures that are ahead compared to the top two clubs, City and Liverpool, involving matches against Chelsea, Spurs, and United. But, mindful of the polder results, everything is agitated now with the first leg meeting against Bayern Munich on March 7.
The Brighton will be hoping to repeat performances from its previous European venture but with a stutter.
Following this derby loss, which by the way, brought an end to the team’s 12-match winning streak without defeat at their home with the top flight, Brighton have only managed three victories in their thirteen league games.
Their record in their last eight games for all the competitions remains meager, with only 3 goals scored. Yesterday’s drab treeless draw at Brentford happened again yesterday, highlighting the age-old issues the coaches are trying to solve.
Managing Roberto de Zerbi, whose name is very under the microscope due to the positive results he has achieved since last season, being linked with Liverpool and Bayern Munich as a potential replacement for the current boss, saw good build-up play and high-pressing failing to meet the desired expectations, where Brighton just managed to have one shot on target in each half.
Currently, they are facing a daunting challenge to play a good game and finish in the top seven to re-qualify for the prestigious European football competition for the second season in a row. They still have the ambition to hit top form, and they will try to prove that in their game against low-position club Burnley on the following Saturday.
Player of the match
Kai Havertz
with an average of 8.55
Conclusion
