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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."

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Marcus Rashford celebrates scoring for Manchester United against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on December 29, 2020
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


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