Arsenal score twice in second half to sink Brighton

tamojit chakraborty
Arsenal score twice in second half to sink Brighton
Arsenal score twice in second half to sink Brighton

Arsenal scored twice in the second half as they beat Brighton 2-0 at the Emirates on Saturday afternoon. The hosts missed several glorious opportunities to take the lead in the first half as Brighton failed to make any mark on the game. Gabriel Jesus finally broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute before Pascal Gross inexplicably failed to score with the goal at his mercy midway in the second half.

Kai Havertz then made the points safe with just three minutes remaining as Mikel Arteta’s side went top of the table temporarily before Liverpool host Manchester United later on the day. The Gunners will now travel to Anfield next week to take Jurgen Klopp’s side in a top of the table clash. Meanwhile, Brighton will be disappointed with the way they played but will look to bounce back against Crystal Palace next week.

As it happened

The Gunners host European Cinderella act Brighton and Hove Albion in a clash with big Premier League implications. We’ll have live updates throughout the Arsenal vs Brighton match right here.

WHO Arsenal vs Brighton & Hove Albion
WHAT English Premier League
WHEN 9:00am ET / 6:00am PT • Sunday, December 17, 2023
WHERE USA, Telemundo, Fubo, DirecTV Stream, and Sling Blue
FREE TRIAL WATCH NOW

Arsenal are sitting pretty, just one point shy of Premier League leaders Liverpool in the table heading into the Christmas period.

But it’s Brighton who are making headlines recently. In just their first-ever appearance in European competition, the Seagulls won Group B in Europa League play, topping a tough group that included Marseille, Ajax, and AEK Athens. They lost just one of their six group matches, winning four.

But if they want another shot at the European stage next season, they’ll need to step it up in the league. They find themselves in eighth place, and seven points shy of a spot in Europe as it stands. And heading into the Emirates in North London is never an easy task.

Photos: Imago

Advertisement

Full Time: Arsenal 2-0 Brighton

Another 3 points for the Gunners as they go top of the table. 

90+3' Arsenal come close again

Verbruggen makes a stop from Smith Rowe

90' Six minutes of time added on

We have six more minutes left to play.

87' Arsenal 2-0 Brighton

That's surely the game for the hosts. Havertz is through on goal and makes no mistake to hit the back of the net.

Brighton are punished. Meanwhile Gross gets a yellow as Arsenal make two changes. 

82' Huge chance for Brighton

How have Brighton not scored that? Mitoma's excellent cross finds Gross but the latter can't hit the target with the goal at his mercy. A huge chance goes begging for the visitors. 

Advertisement

81' Arsenal make a double switch

Nketiah and Trossard come on for Jesus and Martinelli. 

76' Let off for Brighton

Verbruggen makes a terrific save off Odegaard to keep his side in the game. From the resulting corner, Haverts misses a terrific opportunity heading over from close range.

70' We are into the last 20 minutes

Can Brighton get the equaliser or will the Gunners put the game to bed.

65' Arsenal come close again

A great counterattack sees Arsenal dart past the Brighton defense. Odegaard's cross find Saka but the English winger hits the sidenetting. Just minutes later Dunk heads the ball off the goal line. 

61' Brighton have responded well after conceding

Ever since going behind, the Seagulls have been assured on the ball. De Zerbi makes a triple substitution to shake things up. Can his side respond. Brighton have created nothing so far in this game

Advertisement

53' Arsenal 1-0 Brighton

From a corner, Van Hecke can't clear the ball, and its Jesus in the back post who cushions his header into the empty net. 

50' Brighton have started well in the second half

The visitors look sharp on the ball and are enjoying possession. Can they grab the getaway goal. Van Hecke saves his side as the Gunners waste yet another opportunity after Brighton give the ball away in their own half. 

46' We are underway in the second half

The hosts get us rolling, can they break the deadlock or will Brighton hold on and look to break on the counter? 

Half Time: Arsenal 0-0 Brighton

Brighton have a rare attack as Adingra's cross is dealt by Raya. The hosts go up the pitch and Saka has a great opportunity but blazes his shot well over. 

42' Now Mitoma gets a caution

The Brighton winger is in the books as he cynically grabs Saka. Arteta looks visibly animated on the sidelines. Brighton are seeing more of the ball now. 

Advertisement

38' White receives a booking

The Arsenal defender gets a yellow as he halts Mitoma's progress stoping Brighton's counter. 

32' Arsenal come close yet again

Saka is in behind the Brighton defense as Verbuggen is committed but Martinelli can't direct the cutback on goal. 

30' its still goalless

Martinelli's cross is well defended by Dunk who chests it back to his keeper. 

26' Brighton make a switch

Veltman is injured and can't continue as the right back is replaced by Hinshelwood

20' Arsenal are in full flow

Brighton just can't get out of their shell. It's all Arsenal so far as Arteta's side are putting the opposition under immense pressure. 

Advertisement

5' Arsenal come close

The Gunners are dominating the ball. Saka makes a great run on the right wing but his low cross can't find a teammate as Brighton clear

1' We are underway

Brighton get us started, but it is Arsenal who are pressing higher up the pitch

Arsenal are in great form

Since losing to Brighton 3-0 in May, Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 12 home games.

Can Arsenal break the streak

The Gunners have lost all of their last three home games against Brighton. Can the Seagulls keep their record?

The team news are in

Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Odegaard, Rice, Havertz, Saka, Jesus, Martinelli

Brighton: Verbruggen, Veltman, van Hecke, Dunk, Milner, Gilmour, Gross, Adingra, Lallana, Mitoma, Ferguson

Advertisement
200+ Channels With Sports & News
200+ Channels With Sports & News
  • Starting price: $33/mo. for fubo Latino Package
  • Watch Premier League, Liga MX & Copa Libertadores
The New Home of MLS
The New Home of MLS
  • Price: $14.99/mo. for MLS Season Pass
  • Watch every MLS game including playoffs & Leagues Cup
Many Sports & ESPN Originals
Many Sports & ESPN Originals
  • Price: $10.99/mo. (or get ESPN+, Hulu & Disney+ for $14.99/mo.)
  • Features Bundesliga, LaLiga, NWSL, & USL
2,000+ soccer games per year
2,000+ soccer games per year
  • Price: $7.99/mo
  • Features Champions League, Serie A, Europa League & EFL
175 Premier League Games & PL TV
175 Premier League Games & PL TV
  • Starting price: $7.99/mo. for Peacock Premium
  • Watch 175 exclusive EPL games per season

EDITORS’ PICKS

Petty ref decision sends Declan Rice off in Arsenal-Brighton tie

Petty ref decision sends Declan Rice off in Arsenal-Brighton tie

Arsenal failed to keep their winning streak going to start the Premier League season on Saturday as Declan Rice was sent off against Brighton. The Gunners faced a tough test against Brighton in the early English top-flight match of the weekend. The Seagulls, like Arsenal, began the current campaign with a pair of victories. While […]

Brighton new signing out for months after making 6-minute debut

Brighton new signing out for months after making 6-minute debut

New Brighton signing Matt O'Riley is already set for an extended spell on the sidelines. The Denmark international officially just joined the Seagulls earlier in the week from Celtic. Brighton brass paid the Scottish giants nearly $33 million for the dynamic midfielder. The fee, assuming future add-ons are met, will set a new record transfer […]

Brighton continues spree with record-breaking deal for midfielder

Brighton continues spree with record-breaking deal for midfielder

Brighton set a new club-record deal for a midfielder after agreeing a deal with Celtic for midfielder, Matt O'Riley. This deal continues the club's summer spending spree, which has already seen Yankuba Minteh, Mats Wieffer and Georginio Rutter arrive in Brighton. O'Riley previously joined the Scottish giants from MK Dons in 2022 for around $2 […]

Why Brighton can spend so much money this transfer window

Why Brighton can spend so much money this transfer window

If you look at the biggest spenders in European soccer this season, you will see a surprising name near the top: Brighton and Hove Albion. Brighton has spent $189 million so far in this summer transfer window. That’s more than Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayer Leverkusen have spent on players combined this transfer window. Brighton […]

World Soccer Talk © 2025. Made in Florida.

World Soccer Talk, like Futbol Sites, is a company owned by Better Collective. All rights reserved. World Soccer Talk is reader-supported and may earn a commission through our partner links.

Better Collective Logo