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Super substitute Alexandre Lacazette provided the only goal of the game when Arsenal beat Brighton 1-0 on Tuesday to create more space between them and the relegation zone.
Lacazette was the only casualty in the squad to beat Chelsea 3-1 on December 26, when the French international gave way to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but only took 21 seconds to score the only goal of the game when he came in as a substitute.
– Qualifications: Saka 9/10, Lacazette 8/10 and Arsenal win second consecutive game
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It was Brighton who had the best chances in the first half with eight shots on goal compared to Arsenal. However, neither side came particularly close to breaking the impasse.
The second half started with a penalty call from Brighton after Lewis Dunk was brought down in the area. However, the VAR ruled that no fault was committed.
Arsenal had two good quick chances shortly after and Aubameyang was denied from close range. Minutes later, Gabriel Martinelli’s right-footed shot went over the crossbar.
Martinelli made way for Lacazette in the 66th minute and made his presence felt immediately. With too much room, he fired a right-footed shot from the center of the area and outscored Robert Sánchez in goal.
“I am proud of the guys and happy for the result. Lacazette is in a good moment, he is full of confidence,” said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. “Today he had back pain, he couldn’t start the game. But he came in and won the game for us, which is very important.
“We know that we have had problems with the results, [and] the fact that we won against Chelsea was a huge boost. Coming here and getting another win was hugely important. “
Bukayo Saka, who set the goal for Lacazette, was a constant threat as Arteta’s younger players joined their more experienced teammates on the road to victory.
“They need the right older players among them to shine. I think they showed the most important quality, which is the personality to come to any field and play freely and enjoy being a footballer,” Arteta said.
After scoring consecutive victories for the first time since September, the Spanish manager hopes his team can start the New Year.
“We have managed during this period to maintain our team spirit and our cohesion. Sometimes that is not easy to do, because obviously the frustration that comes with losses usually affects the team,” Arteta said.
“Hopefully now we can continue a series of games and be more positive.”
The victory takes Arsenal to 13th place, while Brighton falls to 17th place, just one place above the relegation zone.
Information from Reuters was used in this report.
