A brilliant backheel by Alexis Sanchez was the party piece as Arsenal celebrated Arsene Wenger's 21st anniversary as manager with victory over Brighton.

Nacho Monreal and Alex Iwobi – set up by the cheeky Chilean – scored the goals in each half. The victory lifts Arsenal up to fifth place before Liverpool play later – level on points with Chelsea.

And Wenger's team go into the international break in better mood than a month ago when they were humiliated 4-0 at Anfield.

The Gunners are unbeaten in seven matches in all competitions since, including wins in the last four.This win over newly-promoted Brighton gave Wenger victory over the 45th different team in the Premier League, over-taking the mark he had shared with Sir Alex Ferguson.

Chris Hughton's side knocked the ball around neatly but without the suspended Tomer Hemed, Chelsea loanee Izzy Brown was deployed as a stand-in centre-forward and the Seagulls lacked a goal threat.

Nacho Monreal broke the deadlock for Arsenal (
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Alex Iwobi marked his return to the side with the crucial second goal (
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Solly March hit the post in the first-half after short free kick. Alexandre Lacazette hit the post in the second minute and Sanchez missed the rebound.

But Arsenal took the lead after 16 minutes after a goalmouth scramble. Granit Xhaka's free-kick was nodded back by Lacazette and although Shane Duffy cleared Shkodran Mustafi's shot off the line, Monreal slotted home the rebound for only his second Premier League goal.

Ryan made a fine save with his foot from Aaron Ramsey and Lewis Dunk and March cleared off the line before Iwobi scored the second after 56 minutes after a touch of Sanchez magic opened up the Brighton defence.

Here is how all the action unfolded....

5 talking points from Arsenal victory

Arsenal have won back-to-back Premier League games for the first time this season after dispatching Brighton in an entertaining encounter at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsene Wenger’s side followed up last week’s 2-0 win over West Brom with a 2-0 victory in Sunday’s early kick off.

It wasn’t so much Total Football as total chaos with Brighton repeatedly failing to clear their lines but it set the Gunners on their way to victory.

The hosts had numerous chances to double their lead following a first half strike from Nacho Monreal and it was no surprise that Alexis Sanchez had a hand in the second. He took the ball past two defenders before his neat backheel set up a fine Alex Iwobi finish.

Determined to get on the scoresheet himself, the Chilean spent much of the second half ignoring his team-mates and adopting a ‘shoot on sight’ policy. It did not bear fruit but the Gunners held on for the win to move level on points with champions Chelsea.

Here are the five major talking points - http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/arsenal-2-0-brighton-alex-10924692

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Happy Anniversay Arsene - job well done for Arsenal

Not a bad week for the Gunners.

Three victories in the space of seven days and job well done for Arsene Wenger’s side.

Arsenal have now won six of their last seven games and are now level on points with Chelsea.

A great way for Arsene Wenger to celebrate his 21st anniversary with the club.

Great finish from Iwobi

What a way to mark your return to the side.

Alex Iwobi has been forced to miss the last few matches but he is back with a bang.

All credit to Sanchez for his superb assist, but Iwobi still had to finish and he produced a clinical finish.

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GOAL: Arsenal 2-0 Brighton (Iwobi 56)

What an assist from Sanchez.

The Arsenal star shows his quality once again with a superb back-heel into the path of Iwobi.

The talented midfielder makes no mistake with a great finish past Ryan into the roof of the net.

PEEP! Arsenal lead at the break

It has not been all one-way traffic for Arsenal.

But Nacho Monreal’s goal gives the Gunners the crucial advantage heading into the half-time interval.

That was Nacho’s first ever goal at Emirates Stadium and only his second Premier League goal for the club.

March rattled the post with a thunderous shot so Brighton are not out of this just yet.

Can the south coast club find a response in the second half?

Monreal nets second league goal for the Gunners

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GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Brighton (Monreal 16)

Brighton protest as they feel the ball has gone out of play but the goal stands.

Shokdran Mustafi sees his shot cleared off the line.

The rebound falls perfectly for Monreal who makes no mistake converting from close-range.

Just the start Arsenal were looking for.

What a strike from Lacazette

That would have been a dream start for Arsenal and Alexandre Lacazette.

The French star only had one thing on his mind when he took aim from 25-yards.

He fired a fierce 25-yard shot which flew past Brighton keeper Mathew Ryan but the ball cannoned back off the post.

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Teams ready for action

The players are on the pitch and we are ready for action.

Get the kettle on and sit back for another big day of Premier League action.

Can Arsenal maintain their recent good run of form and make it six wins from their last seven games?

Big day for Brighton

This is what the Brighton fans were looking for.

A trip to one of the biggest clubs in the country.

Can the south coast club cause a big upset in north London?

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Owen - Lacazette's link up play could be better

Former England star Michael Owen has nothing but praise for Alexandre Lacazette but says there are still parts of his game he needs to improve on.

He makes the right decisions.

His link up play could be better but he needs brushing up outside the box if he to be among the world class bracket.

But his goalscoring is the strong part of his game.

He chooses the right finishes.

Wenger - We will have to be patient

Arsene Wenger said:

We lost Koscielny but we rotate. Ozil is still unfit.

We had a difficult schedule and it was an obligation.

We need to win and to go strength to strength.

The difficulty is to maintain the mental focus and strength in the team.

We need to do that today.

We know Brighton are a good side and I saw them against Man City.

They could have won the game.

We are focused.

If we need to be patient we will have to be patient.

Hughton - This is a completely different challenge

Brighton boss Chris Hughton said:

We are in good confidence but this is a completely different challenge.

We have been in good form and will need to be today.

Izzy (Brown) has played off the front for us and had a period at Rotherham where he played further up the park.

He is mobile enough and we will need that.

This is a little opportunity for us to use the squad.

Defensively we need to be good today and we will have to be solid.

Can Lacazette extend his superb form at Emirates Stadium?

Alexandre Lacazette certainly enjoys playing in north London.

The French star has scored four goals in just three Premier League appearances at Emirates Stadium.

Lacazette will fancy his chances of extending that impressive record against the newly promoted outfit!

The prolific forward has his shirt waiting for him inside the Gunners dressing room and we are just half an hour from the big kick-off.

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Brighton make three changes

Chris Hughton is without last week’s matchwinner Tomer Hemed who starts a three-match ban.

Anthony Knockaert drops to the bench.

Jose Izquierdo comes into the side alongside Izzy Brown.

Arsene Wenger makes two changes for the Gunners

Arsene Wenger makes a double change for the game against Brighton.

Laurent Koscielny has failed a late fitness test and is replaced by Rob Holding.

Alex Iwobi is back in the Arsenal midfield and replaces Mohamed Elneny.

Wilshere ready for action

The Arsenal players have arrived at Emirates Stadium.

Jack Wilshere is among the first to head into the Arsenal changing room.

The England midfielder was outstanding against BATE Borisov in the Europa League on Thursday.

With reports of a new four-year contract on offer, Wilshere will be hoping to showcase his talents once again against Brighton.

Iwobi makes timely return as Ozil is ruled out with knee injury

Arsenal will take on Brighton on Sunday without playmaker Mesut Ozil.

The German remains sidelined with injury but Arsene Wenger expects him to return after the international break.

There was some positive news for the Arsenal boss though as Alex Iwobi trained on Saturday.

Iwobi missed the trip to BATE Borisov but looks to be involved in some capacity against Brighton.

Laurent Koscielny underwent tests at the club’s training ground to determine his fitness.

Read more here: www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsene-wenger-handed-fitness-boost-11265884

Reiss Nelson, Eddie Nketiah and Alex Iwobi of Arsenal (
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Wilshere to be offered four-year deal

Arsenal are planning to give Jack Wilshere a new four-year deal.

The injury-plagued midfielder has impressed since returning to the Gunners after spending last season on loan at Bournemouth.

He caught the eye in the recent Carabao Cup victory over Doncaster and was again outstanding in the Europa League win at BATE Borisov on Thursday.

Manager Arsene Wenger has held talks with the 25-year-old midfielder to assure him he has a future at the north London club.

Talks about a new deal for Wilshere, whose current contract expires at the end of the season, have already started and Arsenal are hopeful agreement will be reached by the end of the year to keep him at the club until 2022.

Despite the question marks about his fitness, Wenger has never lost faith in Wilshere’s ability to be a key member of his first team plans.

Full story.

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Welcome

Arsenal are expected to revert to a full-strength team for Sunday’s visit of Brighton in the Premier League.

Laurent Koscielny, Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez, Granit Xhaka, Alexandre Lacazette, Sead Kolasinac, Hector Bellerin, Petr

Cech and Nacho Monreal were all rested for Thursday’s Europa League fixture at BATE Borisov.

They are all likely to be recalled, particularly with Calum Chambers, Alex Iwobi, Danny Welbeck, Francis Coquelin and Santi Cazorla all still absent through injury.

Brighton will be without Tomer Hemed, who starts a three-match ban, when they head to Arsenal on Sunday.

Sam Baldock is still missing with a calf problem but Glenn Murray has an outside chance of being involved after an ankle injury.

Steve Sidwell is recovering from back surgery and Beram Kayal is a long-term absentee having broken his leg.