The boyz solidified their spot at the top of the table after beating Brighton and Hove Albion at home by 2 goals ensuring that they go back to the Emirates with the all important 3 points. This came about after our closest rivals, Manchester City and Newcastle United both dropped points in their Gameweek Matches after they both drew their matches respectively. The performance by the boyz has led to a 7-point gap between us and City but knowing them, we should definitely not get too comfortable.
The match against Brighton was a nerve-wrecking 6-goal thriller that definitely was worth the watch. Bukayo Saka opened up the scoring in just 65 seconds after kickoff and this opened up the field for a spectacular matchup. Our captain, Martin 0degaard doubled our lead just before halftime and once again, he showed his awareness and skill as his volley struck the top-right corner of the net beautifully as Brighton's keeper, Sanchez could only just watch.
Eddie Nketiah then tripled our lead minutes after the second half began, making it two goals in two matches for him and as a Jesus replacement, I would say that he is doing pretty well as he's creating opportunities and scoring a fair share of goals. This just shows that all the extra work he is putting is paying off.
Brighton however, were not to go down without a fight and in the 65th minute, Kaoru Mitoma destroyed Ramsdale's dreams of a clean sheet but a quick counter from Arsenal made it 1-4 in the 71st minute. Once again, Odegaard just showed absolute class by making a beautiful through ball to Martinelli who smashed it past Sanchez to make it 4 goals to the Arsenal.
Brighton pressured Arsenal until the final minute and managed to score two goals in quick succession but unfortunately for them and likely for us, their 3rd goal was disallowed as it was ruled to be from an offside play by V.A.R. Had it stood, this would have surely set up an eerie ending to the match but as it was, the boyz managed to stand their ground to collect the whole 3 points. This was definitely incredible from the Hale End boyz, especially since Manchester City and Newcastle United both drew with Everton F.C and Leeds United respectively earlier on in the day.
We are starting off the new year on a really high note, 7 points clear at the table and Odegaard playing the best football of his career. Things are just looking better and better as we march on week by week. This is what I want to see from Arsenal, the fight, the hunger from all the players is just mesmerizing to see. As we head on to 2023, the boyz just keep showing us on why we should believe in them. Week by week, match by match, the Arsenal players are showing us what they can do and why they are slowly and surely becoming title-contenders. Could this really be our year?
As Arteta keeps on saying in his pre-match and post-match conferences, the boyz should just keep focusing on one match at a time and not focus much on how our rivals are performing.
This will enable them to be mentally stable for their matches and with the hunger they have, their performances will surely be breathtaking.
The wonder goal from Demarai Gray that made City drop their lead at home.
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