Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard were on target as Arsenal powered to the Premier League summit with an impressive 3-0 victory at Brighton.
The Gunners were the dominant force from kick off and opened the scoring when England winger Saka capped his return from injury by converting a clinical 33rd-minute penalty.
Havertz then doubled the away side’s advantage just past the hour when he tucked in Jorginho’s cut back from the right.
Brighton’s best moment came when David Raya tipped away Julio Enciso’s delightful curler, but on the whole Roberto de Zerbi’s side struggled to unlock the visitors’ imperious defence.
Substitute Trossard then raced clear four minutes from time to rub salt in the wounds of his former club as The Seagulls slumped to their first home loss since September.
The result means The Gunners move a point clear of Liverpool who play their game in hand at Manchester United on Sunday. Manchester City are third but only trail Jurgen Klopp’s Merseysiders on goal difference.
Arsenal will now switch focus to the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter final with Bayern Munich prior to hosting Aston Villa next Sunday. Brighton, who remain ninth, are at Burnley next Saturday.
More to follow