Arsenal 1 Brighton & Hove Albion 2
Stunning goals from Leandro Trossard and Enock Mwepu ensured the Seagulls beat Arsenal for the fourth time since 2018.
It was also the second time the Seagulls have won a Premier League match at the Emirates – and not many will have seen this one coming, least of all goal-starved Albion fans.
Trossard and former Arsenal forward Danny Welbeck looked sharp from the off. And Moises Caicedo, on his first Premier League start, looked to provide Albion with the alternative midfield impact that they have needed for so long.
Caicedo was mentioned by a correspondent during the World Cup draw as a player to watch – and the panellists were surprised that he had not featured for Albion far more. On today’s evidence he could set Group E alight for Ecuador in Qatar this winter.
Bukayo Saka provided the game’s first chance as he swung in a cross that Gabriel headed wide.
Before this – and as is par for the course – Albion had a few half chances, through Mwepu and Welbeck, who were combining well with Marc Cucurella as he pushed up from defence.
But it was a great interplay between Mwepu and Trossard that created Albion’s first goal. Mwepu simply teed up the Belgian international who drilled his shot into the top corner to put Brighton in front and leave most fans at the Emirates bemused by how easy it was.
Emile Smith Rowe was thwarted by an excellent Lewis Dunk block as Arsenal quickly tried not only to achieve parity but normality.
Mwepu then had a chance to double Albion’s lead but his effort went wide after a bit of penalty area pinball.
Right on half time, Gabriel nodded a corner back across goal and Gabriel Martinelli pounced to put Arsenal level – until VAR eventually disallowed the effort for offside.
Early in the second half, Saka was booked for going down far too easily under a challenge from Dunk as Arsenal tried quite patiently to get back into the game.
But it was Albion who were having the chances. Alexis Mac Allister corners were hurled at Aaron Ramsdale from Dunk and a subsequent one skimmed off skipper Alexandre Lacazette’s head and flew wide.
Then came the move of the match – if not the year. Caicedo working hard to find Mwepu on the edge of the box who hit an excellent shot into the bottom corner to double Albion’s lead to 2-0.
Arsenal had half chances through Martinelli and Saka but nothing of note until Albert Lokonga brought a good save from Robert Sanchez then Martin Odegaard saw a free kick hit the woodwork.
And it was Odegaard, helped by a sizeable deflection from Welbeck, who got the Gunners back into the match with a minute to go.
Arsenal pummelled Albion in the five added minutes, with Sanchez making a brilliant save from Eddie Nketiah before Cucurella headed off the line from Gabriel.
It was a remarkable win for the Seagulls who have 37 points and move up to 11th in the Premier League, with a visit to Tottenham on Easter Saturday followed by a trip table-topping Manchester City at the Etihad on 20th April.
No matchsticks will be needed for the eyes tonight – and Albion shouldn’t be last on Match of the Day given the significance of the result.
