Arsenal not getting carried away: Arteta

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has insisted there may be nonetheless a “lengthy, lengthy” method to go within the Premier League title race after the leaders ended the yr seven factors clear courtesy of an exhilarating 4-2 win at Brighton.

Objectives from Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Martinelli helped the Gunners tighten their stranglehold on prime spot going into 2023.

The guests led 3-0 and 4-1 on the Amex Stadium however survived a nervy end after a VAR intervention prevented the Seagulls lowering the deficit to 4-3 with a minute to play.

A fifth consecutive top-flight success for the north London membership meant they took full benefit of nearest rivals Manchester Metropolis and Newcastle being held to house attracts earlier within the day.

Regardless of the wholesome place, head coach Arteta, whose aspect host third-place Newcastle on Tuesday, mentioned his squad weren’t getting carried away.

“It is nonetheless an extended, long term to go,” he mentioned of the title race.

“My pleasure comes after I go within the dressing room and the gamers are speaking about what they need to have executed higher at the moment.

“And that implies that they know that we are able to nonetheless play higher and be higher, and in opposition to Newcastle now we have to be higher.

“(It was a) large win, actually completely happy, a extremely powerful place to come back.

“You do not come to this place with this group and get a snug win, it does not occur.”

Brighton head coach Roberto Zerbi described the six-goal thriller as “a wierd sport”.

“We suffered 4 objectives in a wierd manner and at essential moments, particularly the primary and final objectives,” he mentioned.

“However we performed a very good sport in opposition to a improbable group.

“I am unhappy for the consequence, however not for the standard of our play, our angle and our bravery.

“We closed the sport with numerous very younger gamers, however I can not say something unhealthy of them or the efficiency.

“We all know Arsenal’s high quality, they’ve improbable gamers and a improbable coach.”