Arsenal scored a further three points in their Premier League title challenge, with Bukayo Saka marking his 300th appearance for the club with his only goal in a 1-0 win over Brighton and Hove Albion to put his side seven points ahead on Wednesday.
When the referee blew his whistle after seven minutes of stoppage time, the traveling Arsenal fans roared with joy, and they soon had double cause for celebration as news of Manchester City’s draw with Nottingham Forest came through.
It wasn’t a memorable performance from Arsenal, who managed just two shots on target, but they defended superbly to blunt Brighton’s attack on what could prove to be a crucial night if the London club win their first title since 2004.
“This feels like a huge victory, especially for us,” Saka told TNT Sport. “We heard the fans celebrating (Man City’s result) so I knew things were going well for us in the other games.
«But we focus on ourselves. It’s a nice feeling and we focus on ourselves. We both had to win, and we did, and they didn’t, so we’re happy today.»
Saka once again wore the captain’s armband in the absence of the injured Martin Odegaard, and he led by example by providing the decisive moment, albeit with a bit of luck.
He was allowed to cut in from the right, and his left-footed shot was cleared off a Brighton defender to deflect the ball just enough to deceive home keeper Bart Verbruggen, with the ball coming off his leg and into the net.
Brighton, boosted by the boisterous home support, kept Arsenal behind for a long time, especially in the early stages of the second half, but Mikel Arteta’s side held on.
Visiting keeper David Raya kept his fourteenth Premier League clean sheet of the season and made some sharp saves after the break, including a well-struck volley from Georginio Rutter.
However, he owed a lot to defensive colossus Gabriel as early as the second minute, when his wayward pass was intercepted by Carlos Baleba, whose lofty chip towards the empty net was headed away by the ever-alert Brazilian.
Gabriel was supreme throughout as he marshalled an Arsenal defense missing his central partner William Saliba.
Brighton regularly found themselves in Arsenal’s penalty area, but could not find a way out as they suffered only their third home defeat of the season.
Their best chance of an equalizer came late on for Mats Wieffer, but he headed straight at Raya when he was unmarked.
Arsenal now have 67 points from 30 games, while City are on 60 points from 29 games, while Brighton are in twelfth place.
Published on March 5, 2026
