On a crisp afternoon at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal secured a hard-fought **2-1 victory** over Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on December 27, 2025. The win allowed Mikel Arteta's side to reclaim or maintain their position at the top of the table, depending on other results, showcasing their resilience amid a packed festive schedule.
The Gunners started brightly, with captain Martin Ødegaard opening the scoring in the **14th minute**. A slick move down the right flank saw Bukayo Saka provide the assist, as Ødegaard calmly slotted home to send the home crowd into raptures. Arsenal dominated possession early on, pressing high and exploiting the wings, with new signing Viktor Gyökeres causing problems upfront alongside Leandro Trossard and Saka.
Brighton, under young manager Fabian Hürzeler, struggled to gain a foothold in the first half but remained organized. The Seagulls had failed to score in their previous two league outings, and Arsenal's defense—marshaled by William Saliba and Riccardo Calafiori—looked solid despite ongoing injury concerns in the backline.
The second half brought drama. In the **52nd minute**, Georginio Rutter inadvertently turned the ball into his own net from a corner, doubling Arsenal's lead and seemingly putting the game beyond doubt. An own goal from a set-piece highlighted Arsenal's threat from dead balls, a weapon they've honed this season.
However, Brighton refused to lie down. Diego Gómez pulled one back in the **64th minute**, capitalizing on a defensive lapse to inject life into the contest. The visitors pushed forward desperately in the closing stages, with substitutes like Yankuba Minteh and others testing David Raya. Headers flew over the bar, and Arsenal's backline appeared edgy at times, prompting Arteta to urge calm from the touchline.
Late substitutions, including Gabriel Martinelli for Trossard, helped Arsenal manage the game, running down the clock in the corners as the final whistle approached. Despite Brighton's pressure—evidenced by unmarked headers and saved efforts— the Gunners held firm for all three points.
This victory underscored Arsenal's title credentials. Entering the match as leaders (or close to it, with Manchester City having played earlier), they demonstrated the ability to grind out results even when not at their fluent best. Ødegaard's influence was pivotal once again, his goal and overall play earning plaudits, while the defense absorbed late pressure admirably.
For Brighton, sitting mid-table after a winless December run, the performance offered encouragement. Hürzeler's young side showed spirit, but defensive errors proved costly against a clinical Arsenal.
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