MX23RW : Thursday, October 31 23:41:56| >> :120:5376:5376:
[monks data]
Brighton logo
Premier League | Gameweek 16
Dec 29, 2020 at 6pm UK
Falmer Stadium
Arsenal logo

Brighton
0 - 1
Arsenal


Dunk (59'), Jahanbakhsh (65')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Lacazette (66')

Rob Holding: 'We must build on successive wins'

Rob Holding: 'We must build on successive wins'
© Reuters
The Gunners lifted the FA Cup in August but have been unconvincing in the top flight.

Arsenal defender Rob Holding is targeting European qualification in the new year after ending a relatively forgettable 2020 with successive Premier League wins.

The Gunners lifted the FA Cup in August but have been unconvincing in the top flight, winning only 15 of 34 games this calendar year.

Mikel Arteta's men will take momentum into 2021 after halting a seven-match winless streak with a 3-1 Boxing Day victory over London rivals Chelsea followed by a scrappy 1-0 success at struggling Brighton.

The back-to-back wins have moved the north London club to within six points of the top six and helped quash talk of relegation, leaving centre-back Holding looking up.

"It is a massive confidence boost for us," he said.

"Obviously we went through that really rough patch, but as soon as we got a win it gave us a lift.

"Now we've got another win and hopefully now we can go on a bit of a run, pick up points and climb up the table.

  • Played: 34
  • Won: 15
  • Drew: 7
  • Lost: 12

"Fingers crossed we can climb the league and get back into European places and push on."

Despite having an extra day's rest compared to Brighton, Arsenal produced a dismal first-half showing at the Amex Stadium.

Granit Xhaka's off-target free-kick was the Gunners' only attempt during an opening period in which they managed only two touches in Albion's 18-yard box.

The visitors improved significantly in the second period and won courtesy of substitute Alexandre Lacazette scoring just 21 seconds after coming on.

Holding was unconcerned by the manner of the victory and suggested his side had been helped by a more favourable schedule.

"I think our last couple of games when we have lost, we have had so many attempts and not scored," the 25-year-old said.

"If we have two touches in the box (in the first half) and still win, I'll take that all day.

"To be fair, Brighton had it tough. I think they had 48 hours in between their games. We had that extra day to recover, which helped."

ID:428482: cacheID:428482:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5003:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Marcus Rashford celebrates scoring for Manchester United against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on December 29, 2020
Read Next:
PL roundup: Man United rise to second as Arsenal win again
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City97202091123
2Liverpool97111751222
3Arsenal95311710718
4Aston Villa95311611518
5Chelsea95221911817
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton94411612416
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest9441117416
8Tottenham HotspurSpurs94141810813
9Brentford94141818013
10Fulham93331212012
11Bournemouth93331111012
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle9333910-112
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham93241316-311
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd9324811-311
15Leicester CityLeicester92341317-49
16Everton92341016-69
17Crystal Palace9135611-56
18Ipswich TownIpswich9045920-114
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves90271225-132
20Southampton9018619-131


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!