Arsenal finally wore down Brighton's resistance despite a multitude of wasted chances to secure a 2-0 win on Sunday that sent the Gunners to the top of the Premier League table.
Arsenal had 15 shots to zero for Brighton in the first half alone but the breakthrough didn't come until the 53rd. Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke attempted to head clear a corner from Saka but the ball only found Gabriel Jesus, who was on hand to head it back into an empty net.
Kai Havertz only made the game safe in the 87th by finishing off a quick counterattack to double Arsenal's lead with a rare clinical finish on an afternoon when the hosts were guilty of widespread profligacy.
Havertz's goal came from Arsenal's 25th shot of the game — compared to just two for Brighton — and eighth on target although all but one of goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen's previous saves had been fairly routine.
Meanwhile, in the Premier League's biggest rivalry historically, Manchester United held Liverpool to a 0-0 draw in the Premier League on Sunday as Jurgen Klopp's team was knocked off the top of the table by Arsenal.
Erik ten Hag's United soaked up the pressure at Anfield and goalkeeper Andre Onana pulled off a string of saves to earn a valuable point in a match that saw Diogo Dalot sent off in stoppage time for dissent.
In the other games, West Ham beat Wolves 3-0, Aston Villa continued their march with a 2-1 win over Brentford.
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