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Brighton 2-1 Arsenal 5-things

Monday

1. Team Selection

Despite how poor Arsenal were versus Manchester City, most people were ready to put it to one side and get on with some more winnable games. Brighton should be one of those said games, but amazingly the gunners haven’t beaten them since 2017 and have lost three of the last five games against the potters. So are we the underdogs again?

Arsenal’s second game in three days saw five changes. Two changes were made in the back line after we lost two centre backs on Wednesday night. Is it too many changes? Or acceptable in the circumstances. It’s arguably just the two changes that were not forced by injuries. But it would be nice to see some partnerships have time to form, such as the Martinelli-Saka partnership we got exciting glimpses of earlier in the season.

 

2. Leno's Injury

Leno’s performances has been one of the real positives of this season. Which makes seeing him being stretcher off even more painful for fans. The keeper was injured in a needless challenge from a Brighton forward. Leno leapt up to catch a high bouncing ball; he caught the ball before the Brighton man jumped into his midriff, nudging Leno into an awkward landing, just outside of the penalty area.

As he was being carried off, Leno was furious with the player. We see these types of needles nudges all the time; into another player, into the hoardings. But it doesn’t make it ok. He was never going to win the ball. The challenge was sly and cowardly, in fact, it looks as if he was trying to push Leno outside of the area to claim a free kick.

 

3. Pepe's Goal

Arsenal take the lead at 68 minutes. We’ve seen glimpses of how deadly Pepe can be when he cuts inside and we got another insight day. Saka lays the ball on to the Ivorian around the corner of the 18 yard box he quickly cuts in and curls the ball into the top corner. From his position, it looked like a cross would be his only option, and his body was side on when he struck the ball.  

A lovely goal from a difficult angle. Is this the springboard both Arsenal and Pepe so badly need? Let’s hope so. Three quarters of a season into Pepe’s Arsenal career, and we haven’t really seen enough of his quality. The dangerous winger needs to be at his most deadly if Arsenal are going to have any joy this season.

 

4. Brighton's Equaliser

Brighton pull level after Arsenal enjoy less than ten minutes in the lead. We were caught napping at a short corner. The penalty box was packed with players and they try to play a low cross across the six-yard box. Martines attempts to cuts the ball out but can’t stop it ricocheting past him. The ball lands at Holdings feet on the goal line, and a Brighton defender puts a sliding tackle in which pokes the ball into the net.

A scrappy, avoidable goal. Disappointing to lose a lead so quickly, but Arsenal are still in this. The game has felt open and there's plenty of time to get the winner. Surely Arsenal’s supposed quality will finally come good.
 

5. Mugged at the Death

90+5.   But it’s not to be… as usual. Brighton play a few quick passes and are through on goal#. Maybe Martinez comes out a little too quickly. If he stays in his goal, the striker is wide of the 6 yard box and left with a tough angle to beat any keeper.  

What do Arsenal have to do to get a win? We take the lead versus a relegation threaten team and still lose 2-1. Brighton didn’t buy any of their players for 70 million, and they’re not paying any of them £350,000 a week. Are we overrating our players? Are clubs laughing at us after we buy their duds? Something’s not right, but we shouldn’t be too surprised, it’s nothing new.

 

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