Bukayo Saka is already becoming Arsenal’s talisman - you have to wonder where they would be without him

This was a game crying out for someone to spark it into life and, in the end, it came as no surprise that Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka did the honours.

In a miserable season for Arsenal, the teenager has been a rare bright spark and he lit up the Amex Stadium to give the Gunners a 1-0 win over Brighton.


Receiving the ball inside his own half, Saka spun Dan Burn and then left him for dead with a turn of pace. The winger carried the ball all the way to Brighton’s box, but he didn’t panic when he got there and instead laid the ball to Alexandre Lacazette - who fired it past Roberto Sanchez.

It was a moment of real quality and one that lit up what was otherwise a fairly dull affair on the south coast.


The first half, particularly from Arsenal, was very poor and they finished the opening 45 minutes without registering a single shot on target.

They were ponderous and lacking the confidence to take any risks, which has been their problem all season.


After the break, however, they began to kick into gear and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang twice went close and Gabriel Martinelli fired an effort over the bar.


Saka eventually found the way through, teeing up Lacazette in the 66th minute, and you have to wonder where Arsenal would be without him.


The winger is only 19 but already he is an integral part of this team. His consistency is unrivalled and if Arsenal are to get their season back on track you suspect Saka will be at the heart of it.

Lacazette makes instant impact and is looking like himself again

In the end, it took Lacazette just 21 seconds to announce his arrival.

The Frenchman may have felt aggrieved to be on the bench following his goal against Chelsea, but he responded in the perfect way.


The striker was the perfect super sub when he was brought on, lashing home the fastest goal by any substitute this season to make an immediate impact. It was a good finish too, as Lacazette didn’t panic when Saka laid him the ball. Instead, he took a touch and fired the ball past Sanchez to put Arsenal ahead.


That goal should do Lacazette the world of good and, after a difficult start to the season, he is starting to look like his old self again.

Bissouma shows why big clubs are tracking him

Arsenal’s midfield may have been ponderous in the first-half, but Yves Bissouma ensured Brighton’s wasn’t.

The 24-year-old was everywhere, snuffling out attacks and keeping Emile Smith Rowe very quiet.


Those down on the south coast will tell you that is par for the course when it comes to Bissouma, who is attracting interest ahead of the January transfer window. Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United have been linked with the Mali International - and you can see why.


Bissouma is calm and composed on the ball, but has that destructive edge that would make him a useful addition for any top side. He certainly looks capable of playing for a top-six team.