Arsenal beats Brighton to move 7 points ahead in title race after Man City draws with Forest

Arsenal seized a commanding seven-point cushion at the Premier League summit after edging Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0 on the south coast while champions Manchester City were held 2-2 at home by relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest. The slender victory, achieved despite a laboured performance, proved enough to capitalise on City’s slip-up and tilt the title momentum firmly toward north London. Mikel Arteta’s side were made to sweat for the three points but ultimately found the decisive breakthrough to keep their rivals at arm’s length. City, who almost snatched a late winner, were instead left frustrated as Forest twice rallied to deny them victory at the Etihad, trimming the gap at the top to a daunting seven points.