Match Report: Arsenal 1-2 Brighton

 In a week where Pep Guardiola was accused of overthinking in the Champions League, his disciple Mikel Arteta might have just been guilty of that today. Arsenal fans were left frustrated as the gunners lost 1-2 to Brighton at home. 

Leandro Trossard gave Brighton the lead after a superb cut back from Enock Mwepu . The Belgian smashed it into the top corner giving Ramsdale no chance. Enock Mwepu wrapped up a decent Brighton move with a nicely controlled finish into the bottom corner for 2-0. A deserved goal for the Zambian who was brilliant throughout the game. Martin Ødegaard pulled one back with a deflected shot halfway through Brighton's half but it was not enough as Brighton held on to an important win for them. 

Arteta controversially decided to play Granit Xhaka at left back with Nuno Tavares benched after his horrific performance at Palace on Monday. The prospect of Ødegaard, Saka, Smith Rowe and Martinelli all playing at the same time was mouth watering, at least on paper.

 

In reality Arsenal struggled to have any real control of the game in the first half. Lokonga was sloppy in possession while Smith Rowe and Ødegaard were barely in the game. Brighton outnumbered Arsenal in midfield and the result was Arsenal could barely hang onto the ball. Moses Caicedo and Enock Mwepu were brilliant both off and on the ball. The pair pressed high leaving Arsenal unable to build up their play , forcing errors from Lokonga or any player dropping deep . Arsenal were unable to build attacks and given Lacazette's lack of mobility upfront, Brighton were able to deal with any long balls. 

Arsenal did score through Martinelli but he was ruled offside after a lengthy VAR check. In all truth it would have been harsh on Brighton to have conceded so late in the half. 

The second half was all out attack from Arsenal. Remarkably Arteta chose to play without a recognised left back after pushing Xhaka back into midfield. Martinelli was left to play as the Left wingback with Saka on the right. Arsenal did push and create multiple opportunities to score but they just lacked the quality to finish the chances off. 

It's a game that Arsenal were supposed to get back their confidence and their top four challenge back on course. In the end one wonders how much psychological damage this week has had on this Arsenal side. It's still a young team and these defeats will hurt. Their resolve will certainly get tested in the coming weeks. 


It's crunch time in the race for the top four. The injuries to Thomas Partey and Kieran Tierney are not easy to deal with but Mikel Arteta will have to find a way to get the best of what he has. Nuno Tavares is one of those who could have a crucial role to play in these last weeks of the season.

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