Chris Wise
Final Score reporter at Emirates Stadium

Bukayo Saka has now moved up to seventh on Arsenal’s all-time player list of Premier League goal involvements with his assist for Martin Odegaard's opener.

He’s caused De Cuyper several issues in the first half. It was tough for the Brighton left wing-back, as that probably isn’t his most natural position.

Brighton have barely laid a glove on Arsenal so far.

Arsenal are well worth their 1-0 lead, but the frustration for Mikel Arteta at half-time will be that they haven't already put this beyond Brighton's reach.

Fabian Hurzeler needed to change something with Brighton looking toothless and without a goal in their past two league games.

The Brighton boss has sent on Yankuba Minteh and Mats Wieffer for the second half, replacing Maxim De Cuyper and Brajan Gruda.

Off we go again.

Bournemouth make a triple change at the break. Bafodé Diakité, Junior Kroupi and Adam Smith are all withdrawn.

David Brooks, Justin Kluivert and Evanilson are on to try and rescue this game.

Will we see a goal?

Back under way in east Lancashire.

Fulham break but Raul Jimenez's effort on the bounce flies well over the crossbar.

That was wild from the Mexican, but he's certainly playing with confidence at the moment.

No changes at the break and we're back under way for the second half.

Fulham get the second half underway.

Martin Keown
Former Arsenal defender on Final Score

It's been all Arsenal. 15 shots, nine on target and Brighton haven't had a single shot on target. But you need to be cautious. You need to finish off your opponent. While it's still only 1-0 Brighton have every chance of getting back into it.

Arsenal have been comprehensively the better team.

Nottingham Forest

More from Nottingham Forest boss Sean Dyche speaking to TNT Sports: "Pleased with all of the performance. Tactically we held our shape, countered from our shape. Terrific. You've got to work in different ways in the Premier League, we know they are going to have most of the ball, so it's what you do when you are out of possession.

"We had the best chance in the first half early on in the game. We scored a really good goal too. I thought it was a very thorough performance from us and we are very, very disappointed to go away with nothing."

On Hutchinson's first Forest goal: "I don't think he's been lacking confidence if you've seen him play. Igor played well too. These players are growing into who they are as Nottingham Forest players and I enjoyed a lot of their performances today."

On the quick turnaround: "The crowd were amazing today and we need that going forwards. The next one comes around quickly and we need to repeat that performance. As long as we continue to perform like that then we'll be fine and look after ourselves."

A goal and an assist for Florian Wirtz in his last two Premier League games.

Is he starting to show why Liverpool paid £115m?

Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche speaking to Match of the Day: "We certainly don't lack pride or optimism but I know what you mean, it [the performance] reinforces the good work the players are doing. I thought we were terrific.

"The goals we can pick the bones out of it, but how we don't get the referee today...I'm lost for words. VAR and all this we keep seeing from corners, and then our player gets thrown to the floor.

"We know there's no intention for them to head the ball, he just pushes him [Gibbs-White] to the floor. You can't do that."

Should Manchester City have had a player sent off? "Igor was terrific. I couldn't believe how their centre-half stayed on the pitch. He boots the ball away and then goes down with a head injury, bizarrely. The referee gave nothing. The second player brings Igor down early in the second half.

"That's the gripe of the game, unfortunately. I try not to speak about officials. They do a good job on the whole but today was a bad day at the office."

On a Manchester City's winning goal: "The officials had a massive part to play today and they didn't do their job. I've already messaged to ask for a report on the VAR because I find it impossible that the one on Morgan Gibbs-White is not considered a foul."

Manchester City

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola speaking to Match of the Day: "I was overweight after Christmas and now I've lost all my kilos! Really, really, really important three points.

"Sean Dyche has again created a team with a huge personality, it's so difficult to break. Igor Jesus won all the duels.

"It's been a really, really, tough game. They have a fantastic team...Gibbs-White, what a player! And Anderson!

"Christmas time, Nottingham Forest away and that team, if you don't have the right mentality...it's impossible to win the game today."

On his wild celebrations with Pep Lijnders for the opening goal: "Pep is so good. People from Liverpool they know it. He's an incredible manager. Maybe I'm his assistant? We talk during the game, first half, second half and half time about what we should do to have some extra players in that position [to shoot]."

On the emotional celebrations for Rayan Cherki's goal: "When you are celebrating like that, the players know how tough it is. People felt how difficult it is. They are so strong in all departments; it's a tough, tough place to come."

Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest boss Sean Dyche speaking to TNT Sports: "The players were fantastic today. Unfortunately the officials had a big part in the game today, we don't want that. Scratching [my head] today looking back at some of the incidents. I just can't believe what I'm watching.

"It's pointless [speaking to the officials]. We've done it many times as managers and you get in trouble for no reason. Everyone can see it. There's plenty of people here, TV cameras here. Everyone can see their performance today.

"It was miles off, unacceptable in my opinion, because it effects the game massively. Their centre-half boots the ball away then jumps on the floor as if he's injured - nothing wrong with him. The second goal Gibbs-White is clear as day pushed to the floor, nothing given. Then the same player tries to get up and block it and it goes through his body because he can't get in position. For me that's an unacceptable performance. Sometimes in life the officials have to come out, the powers that be, and say that they were miles off."

Just the one goal for Arsenal despite 15 attempts and five on target.

Brighton are yet to have a shot but the away side are very much still in this.

A perfect half from Brentford.

Wolves held their own for a lot of that first half but Liverpool showed their class to lead 2-0 at the break.

A big goal for Florian Wirtz in there.

Andy Reid
Former Premier League midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

Correct decision for me because it's right out on the touchline and Van Hecke was making his way back. He probably would have cleared it if Gyokeres got past Verbruggen, but Gyokeres was cleared out.

Alex Howell
BBC Sport Arsenal reporter at Emirates Stadium

The home supporters want a red card for the foul by Verbruggen on Gyokeres but the strikers touch was taking him away from goal out wide.

Image source, Getty Images

Video Assistant Refereepublished at 15:48 GMT 27 December 2025

15:48 GMT 27 December 2025

Arsenal 1-0 Brighton

Bart Verbruggen has got that all kinds of wrong!

The Brighton goalkeeper races out of his goal and wipes out Viktor Gyokeres on Arsenal's left flank, but it's just a yellow card.

It's checked by the VAR, who agrees that's an acceptable punishment.

It's a very strong challenge, but Gyokeres' first touch wasn't great. Verbruggen is a relieved man!