Bruno Guimaraes struggled in Arsenal's defeat by Brighton
Bruno Guimaraes struggled in Arsenal's defeat by Brighton
View Image
Arsenal were humbled by an old adversary as Fabian Hurzeler claimed revenge on Mikel Arteta in devastating fashion.
The Seagulls took the lead through Pascal Gross and deservedly so, with Mikel Arteta’s side struggling for sharpness. The shot was not closed down on the edge of the box, and it squeezed inside David Raya’s left post and in.
The second came similarly to the first, a strike from the edge of the box which was brilliantly accurate, but this time in Raya’s right corner. Kai Havertz gave the ball away in his own half, leading to a corner that Brighton would score from.
Sometimes you have to hold your hands up to a superior performance and that’s exactly what happened here. But for Arteta, he has three weeks to wonder how on earth his team performed as they did...
Here is how football.london rated the performances:
FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page
David Raya – Beaten with a pinpoint strike from the edge of the box, which went in off the left post. The second another that the Spaniard could do very little about, finding his right corner. No chance for the third either. 4
Jurrien Timber – In for his first start of the season, but certainly felt like that of a player making such an appearance. Was replaced by Zubimendi in the second half. 3
Ezri Konsa – Caught under pressure in defence, forced back by the Brighton press. 3
Gabriel – Looked at sea for both first-half goals, leaving huge gaps with a clear lack of communication with his midfielders in front of him. Left a free header for Andres in the box for the third Brighton goal. 3
Riccardo Calafiori – The chaos that usually benefits Arsenal looked to their detriment instead, with Brighton able to utilise the spaces left by the Italian. 3
Declan Rice – Last-ditch sliding tackle at the back after some poor decision-making from teammates. Was looking around bemused at how his teammates were behaving. 5
Bruno Guimaraes – Did not have a good first half at all, and was leaving big gaps and making errors, being called out by Rice and Gabriel. Didn’t get much better in the second. 3
Martin Odegaard – Completely ineffective in this game. 3
Bukayo Saka – Big chance to counter before half-time not taken, which proved damaging as Brighton would go up the other end to score. 3
Kai Havertz - Cost his side dear, giving away the ball in his own half, 55 minutes, which led to the corner that became Brighton’s third goal. Then missed a big one-on-one chance against Verbruggen. 3
Christos Tzolis – Was trying to make things happen down the left, but there never seemed to be a target for the crosses he was attempting. 5
Substitutes
Mikel Merino – Came on but couldn’t turn the tide in Arsenal’s favour. 4
Martin Zubimendi – Replacing Timber, the shape changed slightly as the Spaniard moved into midfield from right-back far more than the Dutchman. But it left spaces open for the home side to exploit. 5
Eberechi Eze – On for Tzolis off the left, but wasn’t able to impact proceedings. 4
Viktor Gyokeres – Had no impact on the game after entering the field. 4
Max Dowman – A very tough ask to come on make a desired impact at a late stage. n/a