Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal picked up an important three points with a 1-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion on away soil on Wednesday night. Bukayo Saka opened and closed the scoring in the ninth minute – but former defender Martin Keown has singled one star, who he described as looking ‘nervy’.
The Gunners, following their narrow win, moved seven points clear at the top of the 2025/26 Premier League table as Manchester City were held to a 2-2 draw against relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest.
Whether Arteta and his players are able to finally get across the line come the end of the campaign remains to be seen but the 1-0 win over Brighton was ever-so crucial in their pursuit of major silverware.
Reflecting on what was far from a routine night on the coast, Keown – who played an eye-catching 449 times for the north Londoners across two stints at the club – singled out a player who didn’t fill him with hope against the Seagulls.
Keown full of praise for Gabriel as title race hots up
Strengthening their position at the top, Arsenal are now unbeaten in their last 12 away matches in all competitions (since a defeat to Aston Villa at Villa Park in December 2025 – which is the longest run under the tutelage of Arteta.
Speaking to TNT Sports, per The Metro, Keown was keen to discuss Arsenal’s lead at the summit of England’s top flight. “It’s a massively significant night in the title race,” he said. “Looking at that now, Arsenal have become huge favourites.
“But there’s hardly anything in it. Every game is really tough. It’s going to go right to the wire. Don’t get carried away,” he warned.
“That was a great step in the right direction but it’s only one game. It can quickly disappear, so you focus on the next match,” Keown continued before waxing lyrical about Gabriel Magalhaes.
The Brazilian defender was described as ‘absolutely immense’ in the absence of his partner in crime, William Saliba, as he completed 17 defensive contributions.
Martin Keown labels Declan Rice ‘nervy’ in Arsenal’s narrow win over Brighton
One player he wasn’t so complimentary of was Declan Rice. “‘It was bit nervy at times from Declan Rice but boy that is an unbelievable result for Arsenal,” Keown said.
Nothing short of instrumental in Arsenal’s title push, the Englishman was partnered alongside Martin Zubimendi in the engine room and have enjoyed plenty of the ball – 71 touches, to be precise – even though Brighton had far more possession.
His 11 defensive contributions (per FotMob) aside, London-born Rice may have created two chances for his teammates and played eight passes into the final third, but his typically pinpoint crossing was not up to scratch. Just one of his six were accurate.
Having chalked up a pass success rate of 74% (40/54), you can begin to see why Keown described his as being nervous. Normally a calm presence in the middle of the park, Declan Rice will certainly be looking to iron out any downfalls ahead of the next match.
Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Brighton proves they have the grit to be title-winners
It wasn’t pretty by any stretch of the imagination – but to be frank, all that matters is the result. Saka drew first blood with a deflected strike early on and Arsenal’s backs were against the wall for much of the contest.
But it was that fight and desire to defend that ultimately saw them creep to another three points on the road.
That’s exactly what Arsenal have been criticised for in the past: their inability to get results across the line when the going gets tough but such a gritty performance (which resulted in a win) is further proof of their title-winning habits.
Up next, Arsenal travel to face Mansfield Town in the FA Cup before embarking on a trip to Germany to lock horns with Bayer Leverkusen in the first knockout round of the Champions League. Everton await them on their return to domestic football.
