Match report

Arsenal Defeats Brighton 2-1 in Premier League Clash

Arsenal
Arsenal
2–1
FT
Brighton
Brighton
Dec 27, 2025

Arsenal secured a hard-fought 2–1 win over Brighton in the Premier League on December 27th. Martin Ødegaard opened the scoring for Arsenal with an early goal, followed by an own goal from Gorgui Rutter to double their lead. Despite Diego Gomez's late effort for Brighton, Arsenal held firm to secure three crucial points.

Key Facts

  • • Martin Ødegaard scored the first goal in the 14th minute.
  • • Gorgui Rutter's own goal doubled Arsenal’s lead at 52 minutes.
  • • Diego Gomez reduced the deficit for Brighton with a goal in the 64th minute.
  • • Brighton had multiple yellow cards but couldn't overturn the result.

Lineups

Arsenal

Formation: 4-3-3

Starting XI

  • 1 D. Raya (G)
  • 41 D. Rice (D)
  • 2 W. Saliba (D)
  • 5 P. Hincapie (D)
  • 49 M. Lewis-Skelly (D)
  • 8 M. Odegaard (M)
  • 36 M. Zubimendi (M)
  • 23 M. Merino (M)
  • 7 B. Saka (F)
  • 14 V. Gyökeres (F)
  • 19 L. Trossard (F)

Substitutes

  • 13 K. Arrizabalaga
  • 9 Gabriel Jesus
  • 10 E. Eze
  • 11 G. Martinelli
  • 16 C. Norgaard
  • 20 N. Madueke
  • 22 E. Nwaneri
  • 6 Gabriel
  • 89 M. Salmon

Brighton

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Starting XI

  • 1 B. Verbruggen (G)
  • 42 D. Coppola (D)
  • 6 J. P. van Hecke (D)
  • 5 L. Dunk (D)
  • 24 F. Kadioglu (M)
  • 26 Y. Ayari (M)
  • 13 J. Hinshelwood (M)
  • 29 M. De Cuyper (M)
  • 8 B. Gruda (F)
  • 25 D. Gomez (F)
  • 10 G. Rutter (F)

Substitutes

  • 23 J. Steele
  • 11 Y. Minteh
  • 14 T. Watson
  • 18 D. Welbeck
  • 19 C. Kostoulas
  • 20 J. Milner
  • 21 O. Boscagli
  • 27 M. Wieffer
  • 34 J. Veltman

Timeline

  1. Arsenal
    14' Arsenal Goal · Normal Goal
    M. Ødegaard · Assist: B. Saka
  2. Brighton
    45'+1 Brighton Card · Yellow Card
    B. Verbruggen

    Foul

  3. Brighton
    46' Brighton subst · Substitution 1
    Off: B. Gruda · On: Y. Minteh
  4. Brighton
    46' Brighton subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Maxim De Cuyper · On: Mats Wieffer
  5. Brighton
    50' Brighton Card · Yellow Card
    Lewis Dunk

    Foul

  6. Arsenal
    52' Arsenal Goal · Own Goal
    G. Rutter
  7. Brighton
    56' Brighton Card · Yellow Card
    D. Coppola

    Foul

  8. Brighton
    64' Brighton Goal · Normal Goal
    D. Gomez
  9. Arsenal
    69' Arsenal Card · Yellow Card
    M. Lewis-Skelly

    Time wasting

  10. Arsenal
    71' Arsenal subst · Substitution 1
    Off: V. Gyökeres · On: Gabriel Jesus
  11. Arsenal
    71' Arsenal subst · Substitution 2
    Off: M. Lewis-Skelly · On: Gabriel Magalhães
  12. Brighton
    75' Brighton subst · Substitution 3
    Off: J. Hinshelwood · On: D. Welbeck
  13. Arsenal
    82' Arsenal subst · Substitution 3
    Off: L. Trossard · On: Gabriel Martinelli
  14. Brighton
    87' Brighton subst · Substitution 4
    Off: D. Coppola · On: T. Watson
  15. Brighton
    87' Brighton subst · Substitution 5
    Off: D. Gomez · On: C. Kostoulas
  16. Arsenal
    90' Arsenal Card · Yellow Card
    P. Hincapie

    Time wasting

Match Stats

Stat Arsenal Brighton
Fouls 7 13
Pass Accuracy 84% 83%
Offsides 1 1
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 24 8
Corners 7 2
Total Passes 450 407
Yellow Cards 2 3
Blocked Shots 10 2
Shots on Target 6 3
xG 3.08 0.85
Shots off Target 8 3
Possession 53% 47%
Goals Prevented 0 0
Accurate Passes 376 336
Shots Inside Box 21 7
Saves 2 5
Shots Outside Box 3 1

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Arsenal took an early lead through Martin Ødegaard, setting the tone for the match.
  • ▸ Gorgui Rutter's own goal in the second half further solidified Arsenal’s advantage and boosted their confidence.