Mikel Arteta praised his "ruthless" Arsenal side for a clinical display in he 4-2 win over Brighton and said his players have the "desire" required to lift the Premier League title for the first time since 2004.
Arsenal begin the new year with a formidable seven-point lead over second-placed Manchester City after they powered to a fifth successive league victory on Saturday.
Goals from Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Eddie Nketiah set the Gunners on course before Kaoru Mitoma reduced Brighton's deficit. And while Brighton asked plenty of questions of the league leaders, but fell further behind when Gabriel Martinelli raced half the length of the pitch to finish off Odegaard's sublime pass.
Brighton substitute Evan Ferguson claimed his first Premier League goal in the closing stages, but Arsenal survived a nervous finish to make it nine league wins from 10 games.
"It's a big win against a really good side. We had big moments, especially attacking the spaces with the way they play. We were ruthless, clinical," Arteta said.
"We had some great moments, and also moments when we have to dig in and suffer. You expect that against Brighton."
Ratings
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BRIGHTON RATINGS: Robert Sanchez 4 – A tough night for the Spaniard. He’ll be kicking himself about Arsenal’s third in particular, when he failed to hold onto Martinelli’s cross. Nketiah bundled home. Prevented a bigger scoreline. AFP -
Tariq Lamptey 5 – Lost the ball in the Arsenal half in what lead to the opening goal. Overall, it was a tricky task guarding Martinelli. The Brazilian got the better of him several times, three times at key moments, including Arsenal’s fourth goal. Looked dangerous going forward. AFP -
Lewis Dunk 4 – The central defender was undone by Odegaard’s nimble feet in the first half, and was then asleep when Nketiah reacted first to bundle home Martinelli’s spilled cross. Got away with a shove on Nketiah in the second half, too. Getty Images -
Levi Colwill 6 – The best of Brighton’s defenders, who did his best to nullify Odegaard. Was guilty of slowing the play when he received the ball, though. Reuters -
Pervis Estupinan 5 – The Ecuadorian looked good going forward but was undone a few times in his own half. Getty Images -
Billy Gilmour 5 – The Scot was always looking for the ball to drive forward, but he looked lightweight against Arsenal’s swashbuckling midfield. He did, however, link well with Gross in the build-up to Brighton’s first goal. Getty Images -
Pascal Gross 6 – Took a while to get into the game and then almost scored from a corner. He got his third assist of the season in the second half when he played a neat ball through to Mitoma. Getty Images -
Solly March 6 – Had Brighton’s first effort of the game, but it was blocked by Gabriel. Looked dangerous on the flank, but was lucky to stay on the field with a high challenge on Odegaard. AFP -
Adam Lallana 5 – Failed to get to grips with Arsenal’s lightning start and despite growing in stature, he was later replaced. Getty Images -
Kaoru Mitoma 7 – Pulled a goal back for Brighton, and almost a third, only for his effort to be ruled out for offside. The goal that stood followed a neat touch and a cool finish just inside the area. The one that was cancelled was an equally impressive finish. AFP -
Leandro Trossard 6 – Looked a threat going forward, but his best effort was tipped over the bar by Ramsdale in the first half. Getty Images -
Evan Ferguson (Trossard, 60’) 7 – The teenager got the better of Saliba to net his first Premier League goal and give Brighton hope with the Seagulls’ second. Getty Images -
Jeremy Sarmiento (Lallana, 61’) 7 – Looked a threat when he came on, delivering a number of teasing balls into the Arsenal area. Getty Images -
Julio Enciso (March, 76’) N/A – Didn’t quite have the same impact as the player he replaced. Getty Images -
ARSENAL RATINGS: Aaron Ramsdale 6 – Was the quieter of the two keepers, but he had to be alive to Trossard’s long-range effort in the first half, and Gross’ effort on the turn in the second. Could do little about either goal. Reuters -
Ben White 7 – Went about his business quietly. His impact was most notable after he’d been replaced, at which point Arsenal’s right-hand side looked weak. Getty Images -
William Saliba 4 – Put through a delicious through ball to Saka in the first half, but he was worryingly poor at the back. Made a number of mistakes, one of which led to Brighton’s second. EPA -
Gabriel Magalhaes 7 – Was the better defender by some distance. Came close to scoring at the other end, too. Getty Images -
Oleksandr Zinchenko 7 – Came close to doubling Arsenal’s lead inside four minutes, but his close-range shot was well saved by Sanchez. A threat going forward throughout. AFP -
Martin Odegaard 9 – Displayed wonderful footwork in a neat team move with Martinelli that almost saw Saka score a second. He then doubled Arsenal’s advantage with a mis-hit shot that went into the ground and bamboozled everyone. His best bit, though, was an outrageous pass that set Martinelli free for Arsenal’s fourth. Reuters -
Thomas Partey 8 – Won the ball from Lamptey to start the move that saw Arsenal take the lead. Linked up with Martinelli again in the build-up for the third. AFP -
Granit Xhaka 5 – Arguably the weakest link in Arsenal’s performance. The Swiss midfielder was unusually quiet. Getty Images -
Bukayo Saka 8 – Got the Gunners off to an electric start inside the first two minutes when he beat Sanchez on the half volley. Had several other chances to score in the first half. EPA -
Edward Nketiah 8 – Came close to netting inside the opening 10 minutes, but his shot on the turn finished just wide. He made up for it immediately after the restart when he reacted first to tap home from close range to net his second in two games. Getty Images -
Gabriel Martinelli 9 – Played a big part in the opening goal when his shot took two deflections before finding Saka, who stroked home. He then threaded a delicious pass to Zinchenko moments later as Arsenal threatened to run riot. He was involved again in Arsenal’s third, and crowned a fine performance with Arsenal’s fourth. Devastating. Getty Images -
SUBS: Takehiro Tomiyasu (White, 6’0) 5 – Had a tough time against Sarmiento after coming on. Getty Images -
Kieran Tierney (Zinchenko, 60’) 6 – Came on for White in what was a defensive switch, and he made some good – and much-needed – interventions. Getty Images -
Mohamed Elneny (Partey, 74’) N/A – Found it hard to get into the pace of the game, and Arsenal lost control of the midfield. Getty Images -
Rob Holding (Odegaard, 87’) N/A – Came on to help close the game out with Brighton threatening. Reuters
Arsenal's haul of 43 points from 16 games is among the five best starts to an English top-flight season, with the other four teams all going on to claim the title.
"You can't expect to not concede anything with the way they play. It's a big test for us, but we win two in a row after the break and now on to the next one," Arteta said, with high-flying Newcastle United the visitors to Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.
"I think we have enough desire. We know the other results, but we know our success will be from what we do.
"This is what we want to continue, to improve as a team and play better, to dominate all the areas like today. We had to suffer but we show we could manage the game."
