Mikel Arteta called the performance from his team ‘a joy to watch’ after Arsenal beat Brighton to move top of the Premier League.
Goals from Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz secured a 2-0 win for the Gunners in North London, a result which moves Arteta’s side top of the table ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Manchester United.
Arsenal dominated the contest in the first half without finding a breakthrough, firing 15 shots on goal. Only twice previously have the Gunners had more shots in the opening 45 minutes of a Premier League game under Arteta.
Jesus scored the opening goal from a set piece early in the second half, before Havertz continued his recent goalscoring form with a late second.
“Incredible performance. A joy to watch from the start to the end,” Arteta told BBC Sport at full-time.
“The way we did it against this very good team. Even at half-time the scoreline didn’t reflect that. We fully deserved to win the game.
“We had 15 shots [in the first half], it was a lot. We had to keep going. We don’t have that accuracy in front of goal.”
Havertz’s goal was his fourth in seven games, with the German having found his feet after a difficult start at Arsenal.
Asked whether the summer recruit was now meeting expectations, Arteta added: “In terms of goals, yes. In terms of performances it’s exactly the same as he was at the start of the season. You can see he’s confident and enjoying his football.”
Read – Jesus says Arsenal focused ‘on us’ after Brighton win
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