Arsenal finally wore down Brighton’s resistance despite a multitude of wasted chances to secure a 2-0 win today that sent the Gunners at least to the top of the English Premier League table.
Kai Havertz only made the game safe in the 87th by finishing off a quick counterattack to double Arsenal’s lead with a rare clinical finish on an afternoon when the hosts were guilty of widespread profligacy.
Havertz’s goal came from Arsenal’s 25th shot of the game — compared to just two for Brighton — and eighth on target although all but one of goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen’s previous saves had been fairly routine.
Arsenal had 15 shots to zero for Brighton in the first half alone but the breakthrough didn’t come until the 53rd. Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke attempted to head clear a corner from Saka but the ball only found Gabriel Jesus, who was on hand to head it back into an empty net.
That goal forced Brighton to become more ambitious and Jack Hinshelwood finally forced a save from David Raya in the 64th, but it was a weak header straight at the Arsenal goalkeeper.
