Arsenal overcame a stubborn Brighton and Hove Albion 4-2 to go seven points clear of Manchester City in Saturday’s Premier League fixture.
The Gunners capitalised on City’s 1-1 draw against Everton at the Etihad earlier in the day.
Arsenal got off to a perfect start within the first 70 seconds thanks to Bukayo Saka who received Gabriel Martinelli’s deflected strike before slotting into the back of the net.
It was Arsenal’s earliest away goal in the Premier League since May 2013, when Theo Walcott netted after just 20 seconds against QPR.
The Gunners could have gone 2-0 ahead few minutes later through Oleksandr Zinchenko but saw his attempt come off Brighton keeper.
In the 24th minute Pascal Gross’ corner was heading into the net but William Saliba cleared off the line.
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On 36 minutes Leandro Trossard hit a straight shot which Aaron Ramsdale tipped over the bar.
In the 39th minute Martin Odegaard doubled Arsenal’s lead as he drove the ball into the back of the net from just inside the penalty area following a corner.
Arsenal went 3-0 up just two minutes into the second half as Eddie Nketiah pounced on a rebound after Martinelli’s initial shot was saved.
Brighton pulled a goal back on 65 minutes off Kaoru Mitoma after slick interchange of passes.
Arsenal then went 4-1 ahead in the 71st minute as Martinelli raced on to Martin Odegaard’s superb pass before firing into the net.
Brighton refused to give up and got their second on 77 after Evan Ferguson got the better of Saliba before beating Ramsdale.
In the 89th minute Mitoma thought he had gotten Brighton’s third but it was ruled out for offside after VAR check.
