Alan Smith says £30m Arsenal player was ‘spectacular’ against Brighton

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Arsenal have returned to the top of the Premier League table after getting the better of Brighton in Saturday’s late kick-off.

The Gunners are contesting one of the most exciting Premier League title races in years, with top spot currently a game of musical chairs.

Arsenal began the week in second place before going top on Wednesday night, but Liverpool then leapfrogged Mikel Arteta’s side a day later.

Now, the Gunners are back at the summit – for at least 22 hours anyway – after seeing off the Seagulls in a 3-0 win at the Amex Stadium.

How did Arsenal fare against Brighton?

Arsenal’s opener came from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute after Tariq Lamptey conceded a spot kick against Gabriel Jesus.

Bukayo Saka stepped up and duly sent Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen the wrong way to give the Gunners the lead.

Arsenal then extended their advantage in the 62nd minute as Jorginho cut the ball back for the in-form Kai Havertz to slam home.

And in the 86th minute, former Brighton forward Leandro Trossard raced through on goal from Havertz’s pass and chipped the ball over Verbruggen for the third.

It wasn’t all plain sailing for the Gunners though. Up until the second, they were losing composure as Brighton penned them in their own half.

The hosts had a great chance to equalise just before the break as Julio Enciso let rip with a neat curling effort that David Raya acrobatically kept out.

David Raya shines for Arsenal in win over Brighton

Arsenal icon Alan Smith, covering the game on Sky Sports, loved what he saw from the £30million man.

“He has the spectacular in him and it needed a spectacular save,” said Smith. “Brighton certainly have the players who can hurt Arsenal.”

Raya’s save really was crucial. Had that effort gone in, it would’ve likely been 1-1 at the break, and the Gunners may have been a lot more nervous.

Considering how Arsenal rode their luck at times early on in the second half, it could’ve changed the entire complexion of the game.

Everything worked out well in the end, with the Gunners picking up three points and doing their goal difference no harm either.

Arsenal are now top of the Premier League table on 71 points, and are next in action on Tuesday when they host Bayern Munich in their Champions League quarter-final first leg.

The Gunners’ next Premier League game is set to take place next Sunday when they host Aston Villa in a 4:30pm kick-off at N5.