Brighton 2 - 3 Arsenal: Player Ratings
Casper Ankergren: 6
Kept the score line respectable for Brighton. Couldn’t do anything for the first goal behind a crowded penalty box. Could have done better for the second but he should be really disappointed with his defense. Was extremely unlucky that the third took a deflection past him.
Gordon Greer: 5.5
Played well and held the line well. Was subbed off in the 37th minute due to a pulled muscle and things went downhill hence.
Adam El-Abd: 4
Podolski and Giroud had a field day against him. Was very slow out of the blocks and didn’t challenge for the ball without giving away needless fouls.
Inigo Calderon: 5.5
Had to take over as centre half when Greer went off. Wasn’t very effective as Arsenal were rampant in the second half.
Wayne Bridge: 5.5
As most of the action was on the right side he had little to do and should have gone forward more.
Dean Hammond: 5
Constantly outmuscled by Diaby and later by Wilshere. Didn’t really find his feet or the ball.
David López: 5.5
Made an unnecessary tackle on Ramsey to earn a yellow card but curled in a beautiful corner for Barnes’ goal.
Liam Bridcutt: 6
Had a similar outing as Hammond and was bossed over in the midfield but still managed to be involved in most of the good attacking play. Made a few very vital interceptions.
William Buckley: 5.5
Was involved in the play and provided many crosses and did well but was taken off at half time after succumbing to injury.
Ashley Barnes: 6.5
Should have scored when he was clean through but did fantastically well to get past 3 markers as he arrived in front of Szczesny to power it home.
Jose Ulloa: 6.5
Even though he’s a center forward, he helped his team out in defense many times. Was denied a debut goal as he was flagged offside initially but got past Mertesacker and scored it later. Was subbed off with 20 minutes to go.
SUBSTITUTES
Gary Dicker: 5
Came on for Greer in the 37th minute. Didn’t contribute to the midfield much.
Kazenga LuaLua: 6.5
Tormented Jenkinson while on the ball and also really didn’t allow him much time on the ball as well.
Craig Mackail-Smith: N/A
Came on in the 75th minute. Had a penalty shout denied.
Wojciech Szczesny: 5.5
Made a wonder save to deny Barnes. Did very poorly whilst defending the corner as he just allowed Barnes to get in front of him to score as he tried to punch it out. Couldn’ do anything about the second though.
Per Mertesacker: 4
Was caught horribly out of position for Brighton’s opener. Again was awry in his marking which allowed Ulloa to head past him.
Laurent Koscielny: 4.5
Poor display again and didn’t give any assurance at the back as he just allowed Brighton to play around him and win aerial balls.
André Santos: 3
Careless in possession and almost gave away a goal which was flagged offside. To be tormented by an attack by a Championship side shows how poor the player is and wasn’t much of a help in attack. Was replaced by Gibbs.
Carl Jenkinson: 6
Didn’t have to do much in the first half but was against a much more potent attack in the second but held on well. Was very impressive going forward and almost scored.
Abou Diaby: 6.5
Could have done better as he left Ulloa for his goal. Held the midfield well and assisted Giroud’s second with a brilliant chipped ball in.
Tomas Rosicky: 6.5
Attacked the Brighton defense well and came close to scoring twice. Was involved in launching several attacks. On his way back to full recovery as he was replaced by Wilshere.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: 6
Floated in some dangerous crosses in the beginning but faded away in the second and was replaced by Walcott with 20 minutes to go.
Aaron Ramsey: 5.5
Kept possession well but didn’t offer much on either side of the pitch as he could have been better especially in the second have. Made a silly foul in the second half and earned yellow card.
Lukas Podolski: 7
Combined with Giroud with a deft lay off for the opening goal. Had his free kick go off the bar. Was always available on the wing and attacked very well.
Olivier Giroud: 7.5
Had a brilliant game and is truly justifying what Wenger saw in him. Finished his first goal very well with a left footed curler and showed a striker’s instinct and bravery to get into a possible scrum with host of opponents to slide his shot for his second. Could have finished his hattrick on two occasions.
SUBSTITUTES
Kieran Gibbs: N/A
Came on for a maligned Santos and played well.
Jack Wilshere: 6
Came on for Rosicky and infused his energy and determination to force Arsenal forward. Provided the corner which ended up in the winner.
Theo Walcott: 6
Came on in the 72nd minute and didn’t do much till he blasted the ball from the outside of the box which took a deflection and win the game for the Gunners.