SOCCER: Double joy for Arsenal as Saka winner at Brighton sends them seven points clear

BRIGHTON, England – Arsenal earned another vital three points in their Premier League title race as Bukayo Saka marked his 300th appearance for the club with the only goal in a 1-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday. The victory extended Arsenal’s lead at the top to seven points.

The final whistle sparked celebrations among Arsenal’s traveling fans, who soon had double reason to cheer as news arrived that Manchester City had drawn with Nottingham Forest.

It was not Arsenal’s most impressive performance, with only two shots on target, but the team defended resolutely to frustrate Brighton in a match that could prove pivotal in their pursuit of a first league title since 2004.

“This feels like a massive win, definitely for us,” Saka told TNT Sport. “We heard the fans celebrating [the Man City result], so I knew it went well for us in the other games. But we focus on ourselves. It’s a nice feeling, and we focus on ourselves. We both needed to win, and we did, so we are happy today.”

Saka wore the captain’s armband in the absence of the injured Martin Ødegaard and led by example, providing the decisive moment with a touch of luck. Cutting in from the right, his left-footed shot brushed off a Brighton defender, deceiving goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen and finding the net.

Brighton, fueled by a passionate home crowd, pinned Arsenal back for long stretches, particularly in the second half, but Mikel Arteta’s side held firm.

Goalkeeper David Raya kept his 14th Premier League clean sheet of the season with key saves, including one denying Georginio Rutter’s volley. He was also aided by Gabriel, who cleared a dangerous chance from Carlos Baleba early in the match. Gabriel marshaled the defense expertly despite missing central partner William Saliba.

Brighton created several opportunities but could not break through, suffering just their third home defeat of the season. Their best chance came late when Mats Wieffer, unmarked, headed straight at Raya.

With the win, Arsenal now have 67 points from 30 games, while Manchester City sits on 60 points from 29 matches. Brighton remain in 12th place. -Reporting by Martyn HermanEditing by Toby Davis/Reuters