Lewis Dunk issues clear message to Brighton fans after 'fighting' Arsenal victory

Dunk was excellent for Albion during the 2-1 triumph against Mikel Arteta's Arsenal at the Amex Stadium last Saturday.

The Albion skipper pulled Brighton level with a close range strike after a clever short corner routine to cancel out Pepe's well-taken opener for Arsenal.

Brighton pushed forward and substitutes Aaron Connolly and Alexis Mac Allister were key in the build-up to the winner. On 94 minutes and 26 seconds, Neal Maupay's strike was the latest Premier League goal Brighton have ever scored, while it was also the latest winning goal scored against Arsenal in the competition.

It lifted Albion to five points above the drop zone ahead of Tuesday's trip to Leicester.

It was Dunk's sixth Premier League goal for Brighton and Arsenal are the only team he's scored more than once against - with two.

“It’s a huge win for us,” said Dunk after Brighton picked up their 100th victory in all competitions at the Amex Stadium since moving to the ground in 2011.

“Our first this year so they have been hard to come by but we worked hard during the last few weeks and to come from behind to get the three points was a great feeling for everyone.

"We pressed the reset button today and it's worked.

Dunk’s previous goals this season came in successive matches against Manchester United and Liverpool. In fact Brighton had lost four of the six Premier League games in which Dunk has scored - except against Arsenal during a 2-1 win in 2017-18 and Saturday's crucial win at the Amex 2-1.

“It’s probably the scruffiest goal of my career but it’s a big one,” he said. “I just gambled and got lucky. It got us back in the game and got us on the front foot again.”

Three points against Arsenal were so vital as Brighton have a tricky home stretch.

Leicester are next on Tuesday, with Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City all to come.

“We came into the game today with the right frame of mind and we need to approach the next few with the same mentality,” he added.

“But I think today showed the fight we’ve got in our dressing room and the belief. It has gone well for us today but we have to build on it.”

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