EPL: A real 'late' goal helps Arsenal beat Brighton 4-0

Nacho Monreal ended his barren scoring run in the English Premier League scoring his first goal since 2013 as Arsenal marked Arsene Wenger's 21st anniversary at the club with a 2-0 win over Brighton. Alex Iwobi gave the hosts some breathing room when he finished off a fine team move in the 56th minute. The Seagulls were the fourth team in a row in the Premier League to draw a blank against the Gunners, who have not conceded in the top flight since sinking to a 4-0 defeat to Liverpool on August 27.

Arsenal's Nacho Monreal celebrates scoring his team's first goal against Brighton during an EPL match in London yesterday. Pic/AFP

It was a result which proved something of a turnaround for Arsenal, who have won three and drawn 0-0 at Chelsea since their Anfield humiliation. Monreal, who opened the scoring against Brighton, said: "After Liverpool we talked because we can't play as we did against Liverpool, we lost 4-0, and the team was really poor. From there, the team reacted. Now, we are playing more compact. "We have a clean sheet, that's very important for us because we know that we have top players up front and they're going to score goals, so if the defenders can help the team with a clean sheet it is much better."

Iwobi said: "I wouldn't say it was comfortable but we made it as easy as we could have done. Brighton are a very good team, they made it very difficult for us but it was a great result to win the game and also come out with a clean sheet." It was a third win in the space of six days for Arsenal, who saw off West Brom on Monday and then Belarussian side BATE Borisov in the Europa League on Thursday.

45 No. of different opponents Arsene Wenger has now beaten in EPL to go past Alex Ferguson's record (44)