After Manchester City stuttered at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday, here was a chance for Arsenal to go five points ahead of the reigning champions, and they did not pass it up.
But this was arguably more than a win that keeps the time race bubbling nicely. It was a yardstick, coming as it did against a Brighton team who had won on their past three visits to the Emirates, twice in the Premier League and once in the League Cup. Arsenal’s 3-0 loss last season effectively signalled the end of their title challenge.
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