The 22-year-old forward was unplayable at times as Mikel Arteta's side made light work of the Seagulls at the Emirates Stadium
Considering the amount of time the ball seemed to spend careering menacingly across the Brighton penalty area, it was pretty startling that Arsenal only managed a 2-0 victory over Roberto De Zerbi's side on Sunday.
On an afternoon where Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus were electrifying at times, the closing stages really should have been a more relaxing watch for Mikel Arteta. But the Spaniard would have had his heart in his mouth when Pascal Gross' potential equaliser eight minutes from time only tickled the side-netting. Fortunately for the north Londoners, Kai Havertz made sure of the result shortly afterwards.
Brighton did not muster a single shot on goal in the first half, with the electric Saka setting up Martinelli for the Gunners' best opportunity, cutting the ball back to the Brazilian after a mazy run, only for his team-mate to fluff the finish.
Early in the second period, the goal that had been coming duly arrived, with Jesus nodding home at the back post after Saka's fierce corner was only half dealt with by Jan Paul van Hecke. How Arsenal did not extend their lead before that toe-curling Gross chance is a mystery. However, in the end, the catalogue of near misses did not matter as the Gunners doubled their advantage through Havertz late on.
The three points puts Arsenal top of the Premier League at least for a few hours, a position they'll be looking to retain control of over the hectic Christmas period.
GOAL rates Arsenal's players from the Emirates Stadium…
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David Raya (7/10):
Spilled one just before half-time. Other than that he did well, with his rapid long throws starting a few counter-attacks.
Ben White (7/10):
Booked for a cynical tug of Mitoma's shirt – but dealt pretty effectively with one of the Premier League's best dribblers other than that.
William Saliba (8/10):
Dominated the intensely-physical battle with Ferguson.
Gabriel (8/10):
Made it look pretty easy against Brighton's fearsome attack. The Gunners are the first Premier League defence to keep a clean sheet against De Zerbi's side this season.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (7/10):
Rarely put a foot wrong. Aggressive in the tackle without being reckless.
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Declan Rice (7/10):
Made it hard for Brighton to find any space in front of the back four and passed it magnificently.
Martin Odegaard (7/10):
Involved in a host of intricate link-up plays around the box. Only denied a spectacular second-half solo goal by a superb Verbruggen save.
Kai Havertz (7/10):
Did a lot of good work off the ball, disrupting Brighton's build-up. Arsenal badly needed him to finish that chance and he duly obliged.
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Bukayo Saka (8/10):
Milner will be contemplating retiring after the way he was routinely embarrassed by Arsenal's No.7.
Gabriel Jesus (8/10):
Kept his composure to head Arsenal in front at the back post. His world-class turn on Dunk late on brought the second-biggest cheer of the afternoon.
Gabriel Martinelli (7/10):
Let a good chance go begging in the first half, but regularly beat his man and put in some inviting crosses.
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Eddie Nketiah (6/10):
Assisted Havertz almost immediately after coming on. Talk about having an instant impact.
Leandro Trossard (N/A):
Surprised he didn't get a few more minutes.
Reiss Nelson (N/A):
Only brought on for the final minutes;
Emile Smith Rowe (N/A):
A late cameo.
Jakub Kiwior (N/A):
Played a few seconds.
Mikel Arteta (8/10):
Received his fourth yellow card of the season – more than any other Arsenal player other than Havertz. Aside from that, it was a pleasing afternoon, with his side playing De Zerbi's charges off the park.