Sharjah 24 – Reuters: Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah scored the first goals of each half for Arsenal in Saturday’s 4-2 win at Brighton & Hove Albion in their final Premier League game of 2022 to open a lead of seven points at home table top.
Arsenal top the table on 43 points with second-placed Manchester City, who drew 1-1 with Everton earlier in the day, on 36 and Newcastle United, who drew 0-0 with Leeds, two points further back in third place. .
Saka scored just over a minute into the game when Gabriel Martinelli’s shot was deflected in his path, and he cushioned the ball with his first touch before expertly driving it home with his second.
Leandro Trossard had a couple of good chances for the home side before Martin Odegaard added on to Arsenal’s lead in the 39th minute, charging a vague throw-in and bouncing into the net.
The leaders appeared to have wrapped up victory just after the break when goalkeeper Robert Sanchez sent another shot from Martinelli into the path of striker Nketiah, who slotted the ball home from close range.
However, a Kaoru Mitoma goal in the 65th minute threw a lifeline for Brighton and although Gabriel Martinelli scored a fourth for Arsenal from a stunning pass from Odegaard, Evan Ferguson made it 4-2 to set up a grandstand finish.
Mitoma thought he had made it 4-3 in the 89th minute, but the goal was disallowed after a VAR review found it came from an offside position, as the Gunners held on to end the year with a win.
