ODEGAARD GOAL AND RAYA HEROICS HELP ARSENAL RECLAIM PREMIER LEAGUE LEAD
Martin Ødegaard scored his first goal of the season as Arsenal edged Brighton 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium, regaining their position at the top of the Premier League. However, it was goalkeeper David Raya who stole the spotlight with a stunning late save.
With just 15 minutes remaining and Brighton pushing to level the score, substitute Yankuba Minteh curled a brilliant strike toward the top corner from the edge of the box. Raya produced an incredible reaction to tip the ball over the bar, preserving Arsenal’s lead and securing all three points.
“It was sensational,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told Sky Sports. “That’s the kind of performance we need from players in key moments.”
Former England captain Alan Shearer, analysing the game for Match of the Day, described Raya’s save as “one of the best you’ll see all season.” BBC Radio 5 Live pundit Andy Reid added that the Arsenal players immediately went to thank their goalkeeper for a “crucial intervention at a vital stage of the match.”
Arsenal dominated much of the game, registering 15 first-half shots and keeping Brighton at bay with no significant chances. Arteta admitted that the margin should have been much wider, saying, “It should never have been 2-1 given the opportunities we created.”
Shearer noted that Brighton made tactical adjustments at halftime, introducing two substitutes who helped the visitors apply pressure after their goal, putting Arsenal under unexpected stress late in the game.
ARSENAL DEALING WITH INJURIES WHILE CHASING TITLE
The Gunners faced further challenges with injuries, missing Jurrien Timber and losing Riccardo Calafiori during the warm-up. Left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly stepped in at short notice, while centre-back Gabriel returned as a second-half substitute following his recovery.
Arteta praised the squad’s resilience, saying, “We’ve survived six months of challenges and injuries, and it’s uniting the team. Let’s see how the next five and a half months go.”
Arsenal’s victory came after Manchester City had temporarily claimed top spot earlier in the week, with Arteta acknowledging the challenge: “We can only control what we do. Playing every three days will be tough, but we’re ready for it.”
With this win, Arsenal continue their pursuit of a first Premier League title since 2004, relying on key performances from players like Ødegaard and Raya to navigate both injuries and a congested fixture schedule.
