Arsenal F.C. moved a provisional seven points clear at the top of the Premier League after battling to a narrow 1–0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion F.C., extending their unbeaten run in league matches kicking off at 7pm or later to an impressive 20 games.

With champions Manchester City F.C. closely chasing them in the title race, Arsenal almost suffered an early setback. A misplaced pass from David Raya left the goalkeeper stranded some 18 yards from goal, and Carlos Baleba attempted a clever chip that appeared destined for the net. However, Gabriel Magalhães produced a heroic header off the line to keep the scores level.

Brighton’s miss proved costly moments later. Cutting in from the right, Bukayo Saka struck from the edge of the box, and the ball squeezed through the hands and legs of Bart Verbruggen to give the Gunners the lead.

The Seagulls attempted to respond, but despite enjoying spells of possession they struggled to threaten Arsenal’s goal. That lack of cutting edge will have concerned Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler, especially against a side boasting the best points-per-game conversion rate in the league when scoring first this season.

Tempers flared just before the break when an incident in the penalty area involving Gabriel Martinelli and Mats Wieffer saw the Brighton midfielder go to ground. Referee Chris Kavanagh waved play on, prompting an angry reaction from Hürzeler as the teams headed into half-time.

Fuelled by that sense of injustice, Brighton emerged after the interval with renewed attacking intent. Georginio Rutter forced Raya into action with a powerful drive from the edge of the area that the goalkeeper had to push away to safety.

A better opportunity arrived shortly after the hour mark when Wieffer ghosted into the box to meet a teasing cross from substitute Yankuba Minteh, but his downward header bounced straight into Raya’s grateful arms.

Former Brighton winger Leandro Trossard nearly sealed the win against his old club with 15 minutes remaining, only to skew a promising effort wide — a moment that summed up a difficult evening for Mikel Arteta’s side in front of goal.

Despite not being at their fluent best, Arsenal made the most of their opportunity after Manchester City were held to a surprise 2–2 draw at home by Nottingham Forest F.C.. The result edges the Gunners closer to a first league title in more than two decades, while another defeat leaves Brighton drifting toward mid-table obscurity.