Arsene Wenger celebrated his 21st anniversary as Arsenal manager with a 2-0 win over Brighton, including a brilliant team goal scored by Alex Iwobi.
Goals like Iwobi's have become synonymous with Arsenal since Wenger took the reins on October 1, 1996, and this was another gem, finished off after a delicate back-heel from Alexis Sanchez.
Nacho Monreal had earlier put the Gunners in front at Emirates Stadium as Wenger's men made it seven matches unbeaten in all competitions and moved up to fifth in the Premier League table.
Since capping a turbulent August with a dreadful 4-0 defeat at Liverpool, Arsenal have since won six and drawn at Chelsea, whom they now sit level with on 13 points.
This was not Arsenal at their electric best but they never had to be against a Brighton team lacking impetus without a single striker on the pitch. Chris Hughton's side stay 14th.
Arsenal can be backed at 33/1 with Sky Bet to win the Premier League title.
The Gunners are 6/4 with Sky Bet for a top-four finish, behind Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool in the prices.
Brighton are 11/8 second-favourites alongside Huddersfield to go down. Crystal Palace are odds-on at 8/15 for the drop.
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Arsene Wenger was happy to reflect on Arsenal's third win in a row.
He said: "We got the clean sheet, we got the three points. Offensively we were in a bit of a doubt, the fluency was sometimes there, sometimes not.
"In the end for us it was a very testing win. For us it was a very testing week, we had two home games, one long away trip in the Europa League. We won the three games and that's very positive."
Asked what he had learned most from his time in north London, he replied: "I would say humility."
Nacho Monreal stressed the importance of keeping clean sheets.
Monreal told BT Sport 1: "After Liverpool we talked because we can't play as we did against Liverpool, we lost 4-0, and the team was really poor.
"From there, the team reacted, we are playing more compact.
"We have a clean sheet, that's very important for us because we know that we have top players up front and they're going to score goals, so if the defenders can help the team with a clean sheet it is much better."
Alex Iwobi said: "I wouldn't say it was comfortable but we made it as easy as we could have done.
"Brighton are a very good team, they made it very difficult for us but it was a great result to win the game and also come out with a clean sheet."
Chris Hughton knew Brighton were underdogs heading into the game but was pleased with the effort of his players.
He said: "It was certainly a spirited performance, I certainly can't accuse the lads of not giving everything.
"It was always going to be difficult here playing against an Arsenal side at home, your levels of concentration have got to be for 90 minutes.
"Probably the only disappointment was I thought we could have shown a little bit more on the ball but you know it's going to be tough and you have to look at the positives on the game."
