Arsenal beat Brighton 4-2 in a New Years Eve thriller on the south coast to end 2022 a remarkable seven points clear.

An early goal from Bukayo Saka put the Gunners ahead in under 120 seconds, prior to captain Martin Odegaard doubling the lead with an emphatic strike before the interval. 

Eddie Nketiah put the North Londoners 3-0 ahead moments after the break before Kaoru Mitoma pulled a goal back for 3-1 on 65 minutes. 

However, an outstanding individual run and finish from Gabi Martinelli made the result safe for Mikel Arteta's side, before Evan Ferguson got the better of Willian Saliba to make the score 4-2. 

Despite a late rally in a raucous atmosphere from the Seagulls, which included VAR correctly disallowing what would have been a second goal by the lively Mitoma, that prevented a grandstand finish, Arsenal saw out the game as deserved victors. 

Find out who impressed with our Gooner Fanzine Player Ratings:

Aaron Ramsdale: 6.5/10 - Tipped over a stinging strike from Leandro Trossard as the Gunners netminder helped his team to another welcome three points despite a late onslaught that saw a few wobbles 

Ben White: 7/10 - Solid on his return to his former club prior to Takehiro Tomiyashu replacing the Arsenal right-back on the hour makr 

William Saliba: 7/10 - A Rolls Royce who improves every time he is tested - even if he will be frustrated with Evan Ferguson getting the better of him for Brighton's second goal

Gabriel: 7/10 - Put in a shift to help Arsenal to go seven points clear

Olexsandr Zinchenko: 7/10 - An important cog in the Gunners side

Thomas Partey: 7/10

Granit Xhaka: 7/10 - Got stuck in while keeping his head in another mature performance during a raucous second half

Gabi Martinelli: 8.5/10 - Always lively, always a threat, his driving run down the left flank led to Nketiah's crucial goal moments after the break. An outstanding run and finish for Arsenal's killer fourth goal

Martin Odegaard: 8/10 - A thumping strike Pele himself would have been proud of

Bukayo Saka: 8/10 - An early goal to calm the nerves at a tough place to come

Eddie Nketiah: 8/10 - Never stopped working and fully deserved his strike for his second goal of the week.

Substitutes:

Kieran Tierney: 7/10 - On for Zinchenko on the hour mark to underline the depth of this current Arsenal squad in places 

Mohamed Elneny: 7/10 - Came on for Partey with 16 minutes remaining 

Rob Holding: 7/10 - Replaced Odegaard late on as the Gunners saw out the match

We’ve got Super Mik Arteta sing the Arsenal supporters after the Gunners beat Brighton 4-2 here at the Amex pic.twitter.com/3EXjEeuWzr

— Layth (@laythy29) December 31, 2022