Arsenal 2 Brighton 0: Goals from Nacho Monreal and Alex Iwobi seal comfortable win

NACHO MONREAL emerged as Arsenal’s unlikely hero to help Arsene Wenger celebrate his 21^st anniversary as manager with a victory.

The Spanish defender scored only the second Premier League goal of his career as the Gunners edged their way past dogged Brighton. It was almost four and half years since Monreal had last found the net on League duty, although he had managed a couple in the FA Cup since then.

So it came as a major shock to everyone at the Emirates when he lashed home his 16^thminute effort after Shane Duffy had cleared off the line from Shkodran Mustafi.

Wenger had made nine changes to the team which had won in the Europa League against BATE Borisov on Thursday and would have been hoping for a more emphatic display from his rested stars.

Alexandre Lacazette hit a post in the first minute and Aaron Ramsey had a close range effort well saved by keeper Mathew Ryan as Arsenal dominated the possession.

But they struggled to break down a well organised Brighton team who were happy to play with everyone behind the ball and soak up the pressure.

The visitors almost levelled midway through the first-half when Solly March struck a thunderous effort against the far post from the edge of the area. But their resistance was ended in the 56^th minute when a glorious back-heel by Alexis Sanchez gave Alex Iwobi the time and space to beat Ryan with a thunderous shot into the top corner.

Sanchez was denied the goal his efforts deserved when his low shot was  diverted for a corner by Lewis Dunk before a header from Sead Kolasinac was headed off the line by March.

Wenger, who was officially appointed Arsenal’s manager on October 1, 1996, has now seen his team win their last nine Premier League games at the Emirates.

And this latest victory was enough to lift the Gunners up to fifth in the table, level on points with Champions Chelsea but still six behind leaders Manchester City.

From The Sun