Martin Odegaard scored his first Premier League goal of the season as Arsenal survived a nervy finale to beat Brighton and return to the top of the table.
The Gunners, who had dropped to second place after Manchester City beat Nottingham Forest in Saturday’s early match, took the lead when Bart Verbruggen’s goal-kick was intercepted and Bukayo Saka teed up captain Odegaard to score from the edge of the area.
Arsenal’s one-goal half-time lead did not match their first-half dominance as they produced 15 shots, five on target, and restricted Brighton to none.
But they doubled their lead seven minutes into the second half when makeshift right-back Declan Rice’s corner was flicked into his own net by Georginio Rutter, the fourth own goal that has gone Arsenal’s way in their past four games.
Arsenal seemed set for a comfortable victory but Brighton pulled one back with their first shot on target when Yasin Ayari’s effort bounced off the post and Diego Gomez hammered in the rebound.
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler had introduced winger Yankuba Minteh at half-time and his pace caused problems.
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya had to produce a magnificent save to ensure his side took all three points when he kept out Minteh’s curled effort that was heading towards the top corner.
