REAL NAIL BRIGHT-ER

Saka seals it through Bart's legs as nervy Guns go further clear at top

- BY JOHN CROSS

THEY have become the pantomime villains of the Premier League. Arsenal are the team everyone loves to hate.

But somehow, through sheer grit and determination, they ground out another hard-fought win to strengthen their grip at the top of the league table.

It was ugly, scrappy and Arsenal left the stage at the Amex Stadium to rounds of jeers and boos - but also with a precious three points to push them seven clear at the top after Manchester City slipped up.

No wonder the Gunners celebrated with the travelling fans at the end because this felt like a huge night in the title race as the pendulum swung firmly in their favour with just eight games left.

Bukayo Saka's ninth-minute goal was all that was required.

They were windup merchants as they ran down the clock, playing for tactical fouls and using the dark arts.

But it was enough to get the job done. Quite how Brighton failed to score is anyone's guess, but also testament to Arsenal's resilience.