Arsenal overcame a deepening defensive injury crisis to secure a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Brighton at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, reclaiming the top spot in the Premier League. Martin Odegaard's first goal of the season and an own goal by Brighton's Georginio Rutter proved decisive, although a late Brighton goal and a series of nervy moments ensured a tense finish for the Gunners.

The victory, however, came at a cost, with Riccardo Calafiori ruled out just before kick-off after suffering an injury during the warm-up. This latest setback compounds an already significant injury list for Arsenal, particularly in defense. With Cristhian Mosquera, Ben White, and Jurrien Timber already sidelined, manager Mikel Arteta was forced into a reshuffle, deploying midfielder Declan Rice at right-back and handing a start to Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Despite the defensive concerns, Arsenal started brightly, eager to respond after Manchester City briefly leapfrogged them in the table with a win earlier in the day. Viktor Gyokeres and Bukayo Saka both threatened early on, but it was Odegaard who broke the deadlock in the 15th minute, firing a low, left-footed shot into the bottom corner after being set up by Saka. The goal marked Odegaard's first of the season.

Arsenal continued to press, with Rice denied by a goal-line clearance and Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen producing a fine save to keep out a Gyokeres flick. The Gunners eventually doubled their lead in the 53rd minute when Rutter headed a Rice corner into his own net.

Brighton, however, refused to succumb quietly. Diego Gomez pulled a goal back in the 64th minute, slamming home a rebound after Yasin Ayari's shot hit the post. The goal injected new life into the visitors' attack, and they almost equalized when Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya brilliantly tipped away a curling effort from Yankuba Minteh.

Arsenal managed to weather the late pressure, securing a vital three points. The win sees them move two points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League, setting up a crucial clash against Aston Villa on Tuesday. However, the growing injury list, particularly in defense, will be a major concern for Arteta as Arsenal navigate a busy festive period. The extent of Calafiori's injury is yet to be revealed, adding to the uncertainty surrounding Arsenal's defensive options. The Gunners will need to rely on their squad depth and resilience if they are to maintain their title challenge.