Arsenal will end 2022 with a seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League after a thrilling 4-2 win at Brighton. The Gunners were sensational at times at the Amex Stadium, with captain Martin Odeegard producing another sublime performance.
But Mikel Arteta's also made things difficult for themselves at times and had to endure some nervy moments at end as the home side fought back.
Arsenal got off to a dream start when Bukayo Saka netted after just 66 seconds, and Odegaard doubled the lead with his seventh league goal of the season before the interval.
Eddie Nketiah then added a third soon after the restart, before Kaoru Mitoma pulled a goal back for the hosts.
Gabriel Martinelli finished off a quite majestic Odegaard pass to restore Arsenal's three-goal advantage, only for Evan Ferguson to take advantage of a William Saliba error to make it 4-2.
Mitoma then seemed to have set up a grandstand finish when he slotted past Aaron Ramsdale with just three minutes remaining, but the goal was ruled out by VAR for offside - much to the relief of Mikel Arteta and the travelling Arsenal fans.
The win sees the Gunners stretch their lead over Manchester City to seven points following the defending champions' surprise home draw with Everton earlier on Saturday.