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The Gunners were grateful for their goalkeeper’s exploits.
Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League table with a 2-1 victory Brighton and Hove Albion.
Displaced by Manchester City after their victory at Nottingham Forest earlier on Saturday, Arsenal took control thanks to a superb finish from Martin Odegaard and an own goal from Georginio Rutter.
However, Diego Gomez tested nerves with his 64th-minute goal, and Arsenal were grateful to David Raya for a stunning save that prevented Yankuba Minteh from equalizing.
Arsenal are two points clear of City but a bigger test awaits the Gunners as Aston Villa travel to the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday aiming to complete a league double after winning the reverse fixture at Villa Park earlier this month.
Arsenal captain gets Gunners going
Arsenal took the lead in the 14th minute by punishing Bart Verbruggen for a poor goal kick, with Odegaard meeting Bukayo Saka’s retreat and shooting from the edge of the area.
The hosts continued to dictate proceedings in the first half without adding to their tally, although Verbruggen was forced into a fine reflex save to deny Martin Zubimendi shortly before half-time, with former Brighton star Leandro Trossard firing over the crossbar in the follow-up.
Verbruggen was arguably lucky to escape with a yellow card soon after, when he fouled Viktor Gyokeres on the left.
Raya to the rescue
But fortune was on Arsenal’s side seven minutes into the second half, with Declan Rice rewarded for a superb delivery from a corner when Rutter inadvertently diverted into his own net.
At this point it looked like Arsenal were home and dry, but a lifeline came out of nowhere from Gomez, who halved the deficit by converting the rebound after Yasin Ayari had hit the post.
The goal created a nervous atmosphere and required a superb fingertip save from Raya to keep out Minteh’s header and prevent the tension from turning to despair among the Arsenal fans.
Raya’s reflexes ultimately proved to be the difference between victory and a significant setback in the title race. However, Arsenal will need to be much more convincing in the future if they want to hold off City.
