Arsenal ease to win against Brighton

Arsenal cruised to a comfortable 2-0 win over Brighton and Hove Albion at the Emirates Stadium, with Nacho Monreal and Alex Iwobi scoring the goals.

Alexandre Lacazette almost gave them the lead with a brilliant half-volley from 30 yards which hit the post, but it was Monreal who broke the deadlock after Brighton failed to clear from a free kick.

Solly March had a shot from distance strike the post with a rare attack for the visitors, but Arsenal went into the break one ahead.

In the second half, an excellent Alexis Sanchez backheel set up Alex Iwobi for Arsenal's second as the Chilean returned to something closer to his best form.

An easy victory saw Arsenal move into fifth, behind Chelsea on goal difference, while Brighton remain in 14th going into the international break.

Arsenal demonstrate the gap at the top. Manchester United found it easy against Palace yesterday, and Arsenal cantered to victory today. They were never troubled, and Brighton were in damage limitation mode from the very start. This season might be decided by how the top teams fare against one another, with no chances for dropped points against the lower sides.

Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal): He was nowhere near the best of last season, but after a few poor games he was far better against Brighton. His backheel was a rare moment of class for Arsenal in what was otherwise a straightfoward performance. They will need him for at least the next few months when they take on the best sides in the league.

Arsenal: Cech 6, Holding 6, Mustafi 6, Monreal 7, Bellerin 6, Ramsey 5, Xhaka 7, Kolasinac 6, Iwobi 7, Alexis 7, Lacazette 7. Subs: Elneny 6, Walcott 6, GIroud 6.

Brighton: Ryan 6, Bruno 5, Dunk 5, Duffy 5, Bong 5, Izquierdo 6, Stephens 6, Propper 6, March 6, Gross 5, Brown 5. Subs: Knockaert 6, Murray 7, Schelotto 6.

2' - POST! Lacazette almost opens the scoring for Arsenal when his half volley from 30 yards out crashes against the post.

16' - GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Brighton. Monreal scores - Xhaka curls in a free kick to the box, the ball is semi-cleared, it comes out to Bellerin, and his effort is blocked, and it bounces to Monreal to turn into net.

23' - MARCH SHOT - March leathers a shot from distance that beats Cech for pace, and crashes against the post. It was a superb effort.

42' - RYAN SAVE - Arsenal break from a corner, Sanchez finds Bellerin who works it to Kolasinac, and he sqaures it to Ramsey only for him to hit it far too close to Ryan, who beats it away.

56' - GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Brighton. Iwobi scores - A quick flowing move through the Brighton defence sees Sanchez near the penalty spot, surrounded by Brighton players. He's trapped, but backheels the bal and it rolls to Iwobi in space behind him, who finishes at the near post.

62' - MARCH CLEARANCE - Kolasinac meets a corner from the right wing and aims it at the near corner, but March is on hand to head it off the line.

Brighton are yet to win an away point in the Premier League.