Brighton 0-1 Arsenal- Gunners end year in style

The Gunners are back to winning ways after back to back wins over Chelsea and Brighton.

Arsenal have made it back to back wins after a 1-0 win over Brighton at the Amex Stadium after an Alexandre Lacazette goal was enough to secure the vital three points.

Mikel Arteta made just the one change to the side that beat Chelsea with captain Pierre Emerick Aubameyang coming in for Alexandre Lacazette.

It was a good start from Arsenal and within the first minute Aubameyang had the first shot of the game, however, it was a tame effort as it was deflected to Robert Sanchez in the Brighton goal.

Overall it was a low-key start to the match with Arsenal controlling possession, but Brighton grew into the game and forcing Arsenal back inside their own half.

A poor pass from Mo Elneny saw Alexis Mac Allister pounce on the loose ball, however, the Argentinian saw his shot blast over the goal.

Brighton ended the half the stronger side and Bernd Leno was again called into action. The ball was whipped in from the right-hand side that was just out of reach of Bernardo, but it found its way to Jahanbaksh who fired his shot low to the left-hand side of the goal and forced a great save from Leno.

It was a disappointing half from Arsenal as Mikel Arteta needed to get his side playing with more attacking intent as they seemed to revert back to their old ways.

Brighton started the second half on the front foot after a goalmouth scramble put Arsenal under pressure. That was the injection the Gunners needed as they bossed proceedings from then on.

With just five minutes played in the half a sweeping move ended with Bukayo Saka whipping in a dangerous cross for Aubameyang who had his shot brilliantly saved from point-blank range. Just minutes later Emile Smith Rowe after great work to wriggle free from Brighton defenders found Gabriel Martinelli who lashed his shot just over the bar.

Minutes later Arsenal was in again. After great work from Martinelli, the Brazilian found Smith Rowe who picked out Aubameyang however the strikers shot went wide as the Gunners went in search of the go-ahead goal.

There was clear intent from Arsenal as Mikel Arteta’s half time team talk worked wonders as his side completely dominated the game.

Gabriel Martinelli was taken off with 25 minutes to go in favor of Lacazette as Mikel Arteta looked to give the youngster a breather.

Then came the goal. Lacazette was on the field for just 43 seconds when he fired Arsenal into a deserved lead. Again Bukayo Saka was at the heart of the move, bursting away from Dan Burn and driving into the penalty box. Saka then had the awareness to pick out Lacazette who took a touch and curled home his shot past Robert Sanchez.

With Brighton now having to chase the game, they enjoyed more possession as they pushed for an equalizer however they were disjointed and did not trouble the Arsenal backline.

With just minutes to go Emile Smith Rowe was taken off after another good performance for Ainsley Maitland Niles as Arsenal looked to see how the match.

The Gunners sat back and soaked up the Brighton pressure as they continued to push for the goal that would see them level matters, however, it did not come as Arsenal managed to see out the game and claim back to back wins for the first time since the opening two games of the season.

With the win Arsenal are up to 13th in the table and travel to face a West Brom side that got thumped by Leeds United 5-0.

There is suddenly a more positive outlook at the Emirates with two wins on the bounce Mikel Arteta and Arsenal ended what was a horror year in style.