What we learned from Arsenal’s narrow win over Brighton | OneFootball

Bukayo Saka’s early goal was enough for Arsenal to secure a 1-0 win against Brighton in the Premier League.

Following Manchester City’s 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest the same evening, Arsenal are now seven points clear at the top of the Premier League. However, they have played one more match than Pep Guardiola’s side.

Here is everything we learned from the narrow win…

Safe Hands?

David Raya is on course for a remarkable third consecutive Golden Glove Award, won by the goalkeeper with the most Premier League clean sheets. Only Petr Cech and Joe Hart (both four) have won more. He is now a full three matches ahead of nearest rival Gianluigi Donnarumma this season.

However, the Spanish keeper still has an error in home with the ball at his feet. A poor early pass out from the back went straight to Carlos Baleba, who should have scored but for a goal line clearance by Gabriel. A lucky escape for Raya on the night of his 100th Premier League game for the club.

Bukayo Saka remains Arsenal’s star player

The England international has had an injury-hit season which has impacted his form and stats, but he marked his 300th appearance for the club with a crucial opening goal. Only his sixth goal in the Premier League this season and first since he scored last month against Wolves.

It is seven-and-a-half years since his first team debut in a Europa League game against Vorskla Poltava. He is now the 52nd player to make  300 or more appearances for Arsenal.

Set-Piece FC?

Arteta’s side are known as the set-piece kings – they had  taken a 1-0 lead in 20 Premier League matches going into this game, but there is more to Mikel Arteta’s side than dead-ball brilliance. They have also scored more goals from open play since Christmas than any other team.

Hot Air?

Fabian Hurzerler did his best to generate anti-Arsenal sentiment in his pre-match press conference when he accused Mikel Arteta’s side of time-wasting and being over-reliant on set pieces. The young German coach rarely stopped berating the fourth official every time Arsenal had a dead ball and the home fans followed suit by booing Arsenal and referee Chris Kavanagh throughout.

It looked like it was back-firing as Arsenal seemed motivated by the atmosphere and the fact that Brighton have taken corners about only seven seconds faster than Arsenal over the course of this season only seemed to weaken his argument.

Mikel Arteta and his players should relish the lack of praise they are receiving

For the anti-Arsenal narrative about them ‘winning ugly’ is nothing new. ‘Boring, boring ’ Arsenal was a popular chant in the 80’s and 90s – a refrain they used to chant at their own side ironically when they were winning.

George Graham was the Arsenal manager who won six major titles including the league title in 1989 and 1991.  One of his favourite statements was ‘it’s fine that people hate us, it’s part of our history.’

There are still eight games to go for Arsenal as they look to win their first Premier League title in over 20 years, but they are well on course to lift the trophy as it stands.