A little birdie tells Mail Sport that a couple of Abba classics have crept onto Arsenal’s match-day playlist in recent weeks.

It was a case of Gimme Gimme Gimme three points for the title-chasing Gunners here at the Emirates on Sunday.

As we enter the pivotal festive period that will shape Arsenal’s championship challenge, Mikel Arteta knows what is at stake.

Arsenal have a dream – and they are intent on not letting it slip through their fingers again.

Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz both notched to ensure the Gunners returned to victorious ways after last weekend’s loss at Aston Villa.

Gabriel Jesus scored Arsenal's first goal against Brighton as they moved to the top of the Premier League

Gabriel Jesus scored Arsenal's first goal against Brighton as they moved to the top of the Premier League

Gabriel Jesus scored Arsenal’s first goal against Brighton as they moved to the top of the Premier League

Kai Havertz also netted to secure the points late on as Brighton failed to score for the first time in the league this season

Kai Havertz also netted to secure the points late on as Brighton failed to score for the first time in the league this season

Kai Havertz also netted to secure the points late on as Brighton failed to score for the first time in the league this season

Mikel Arteta - who was once again shown a yellow card - wasn't afraid to show his joy

Mikel Arteta - who was once again shown a yellow card - wasn't afraid to show his joy

Mikel Arteta – who was once again shown a yellow card – wasn’t afraid to show his joy

It was anxious at times – but that’s often the name of the game.

Indeed, this wasn’t a 90 minutes that saw Brighton resort to sending out an SOS.

Yes, they were outplayed for the vast majority of this battle. But by the end, Arsenal endured some frightful moments that threatened their Christmas cheer.

But, like super troopers, they held for a massive victory, and one that will exorcise a few lingering demons.

MATCH FACTS AND PLAYER RATINGS

ARSENAL 433: Raya 5; White 6.5, Saliba 7 Gabriel 7, Zinchenko 7 (Kiwior 90); Odegaard 8, Rice 7, Havertz 7 (Smith Rowe 89); Saka 7.5 (Nelson 89), Jesus 7 (Nketiah 81), Martinelli 6.5 (Trossard 82). 

Subs: Ramsdale, Soares, Lewis-Skelly, Walters. Booking: White

Arteta: 7

Brighton 4231: Verbruggen 7; Veltman 6 (Hinshelwood 27), Van Hecke 6, Dunk 7, Milner 5 (Buonanotte 60, 6); Gross 6.5, Gilmour 7; Adingra 6 (Welbeck 79), Lallana 6 (Julio 60, 5), Mitoma 6.5; Ferguson 5 (Pedro 60, 5.5). 

Subs: Steele, Dahoud, Moder, Baleba. Booking: Mitoma, Gross, Gilmour

De Zerbi: 6.5

Referee: Tim Robinson – 6

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The corresponding fixture last season harbours painful memories for Arsenal players.

It was here at the Emirates on May 14 that their Premier League challenge died a harrowing death with a 3-0 defeat which had Brighton’s Italian head coach Roberto De Zerbi crying ‘mamma mia’ in delight.

Arsenal, whose preparations for this game were impacted by a virus that gripped a number of players and threatened Declan Rice’s inclusion, went about erasing those agonising recollections with an urgency that had Brighton’s defenders working overtime.

Yet towards the end of the first 45 minutes, it was Arsenal who were losing the plot.

Arteta, for the fourth time this season, was booked for his histrionics on the touchline as frustration grew with referee Tim Robinson.

But the fact his team weren’t well ahead at half-time was his true annoyance here – the blame for that fell directly with his players.

‘We had 15 shots [in the first half], it was a lot. We had to keep going. We don’t have that accuracy in front of goal,’ Arteta remarked after the game.

Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli, who had shaken off the aforementioned illness to take his place in the starting XI, missed chances inside the opening three minutes.

Jesus just failed to connect onto Bukayo Saka’s pass across the face of goal soon after.

Saka, inevitably, was causing Brighton problems; particularly 37-year-old James Milner, the England international’s direct competitor.

There was little surprise that the veteran took to kicking Saka in his efforts to stop him running amok, Milner somehow avoiding a booking for blatantly swiping at the Arsenal winger in the 16th minute.

Brighton weathered the early storm from Arsenal but were unable to hold out - they have conceded in every league game this season

Brighton weathered the early storm from Arsenal but were unable to hold out - they have conceded in every league game this season

Brighton weathered the early storm from Arsenal but were unable to hold out – they have conceded in every league game this season

Veteran James Milner was put up against Bukayo Saka in the game at left back for the Seagulls

Veteran James Milner was put up against Bukayo Saka in the game at left back for the Seagulls

Veteran James Milner was put up against Bukayo Saka in the game at left back for the Seagulls

You could only question the acumen in the decision to pitch Milner against Saka – you felt sorry for the former Liverpool man at times.

Eventually, though, Brighton weathered the storm – although they were forced into a 27th minute change when Jack Hinshelwood was introduced on for the limping Joel Veltman.

Martin Odegaard, Ben White, Martinelli, Havertz and Saka all wasted openings for Arsenal before half-time.

Arteta was clearly irritated, his agitation manifesting into his latest booking at the end of the half.

Just three days after being cleared of an FA misconduct charge for comments made about refereeing following last month’s 1-0 defeat by Newcastle, his behaviour was once again getting him into trouble.

Waving his arms around exaggeratedly as he sarcastically alerted Robinson to Kaoru Mitoma’s foul on Saka, the Arsenal head coach entered the book.

The home supporters, in unison, rose to their feet to sing their manager’s name. He’s rightly worshipped here in these parts.

Jack Hinshelwood (left) should have done better with a free header in the final few minutes

Jack Hinshelwood (left) should have done better with a free header in the final few minutes

Jack Hinshelwood (left) should have done better with a free header in the final few minutes

But sometimes – just sometimes – he doesn’t help himself.

The second period started much like the first; with sustained Arsenal pressure.

Surely Brighton couldn’t withstand another 45 minutes like the last? Indeed, they couldn’t.

Arsenal were indebted to a howler from Jan Paul van Hecke for their opener, the Brighton defender entirely misjudging the flight of Saka’s inswinging corner in the 53rd to flick a header straight into the eyeline of Jesus, who simply nodded home at the back post.

Jesus, like a dancing queen, swaggered towards the corner flag to celebrate.

The Brighton resistance was over. They could have no complaints, Arsenal were worthy of their lead.

That said Brighton didn’t fold. On another day they could easily have scored an equaliser.

Substitute Jack Hinshelwood should have done much better with a free header deep inside Arsenal’s box before Pascal Gross fired narrowly wide from close range in the 83rd minute.

That was the chance for Brighton. De Zerbi knew it, too.

In the end, what threatened to be a hurdle for Arsenal was maneuvered well with three points earned at the Emirates

In the end, what threatened to be a hurdle for Arsenal was maneuvered well with three points earned at the Emirates

In the end, what threatened to be a hurdle for Arsenal was maneuvered well with three points earned at the Emirates 

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football, launching with a preview show today and every week this season.

It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube , Apple Music and Spotify

 

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So the Italian was the least surprised man in the building when, four minutes later, Havertz – from Saka’s pass – stroked past Bart Verbruggen to put the game out of Brighton’s reach.

‘Incredible performance,’ added Arteta.

‘A joy to watch from the start to the end. The way we did it against this very good team. Even at half-time the scoreline didn’t reflect that.

‘We fully deserved to win the game.’

He’s right, they did deserve to win this. And ultimately victories are all that matter in the cut-throat nature of Premier League title races where the winner takes it all.

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