Premier League 2019-20: Arsenal 1-2 Brighton - 3 Reasons why the Gunners lost
Arsenal went down to Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League as the Gunners’ search for a league victory continued. The defeat means that the North Londoners have now failed to win any of their previous four top-flight games.
Brighton started the encounter brilliantly and looked capable of ruffling Arsenal’s feathers. They got into several promising offensive positions and kept the ball ticking swiftly through midfield.
In the 36th minute, the Seagulls deservedly surged ahead when Adam Webster pounced on a penalty-box melee to thump home the opener. The hosts tried to conjure a response in the remainder of the half but were unable to do so as the visitors enjoyed a one-goal cushion at the break.
After the restart, Arsenal had the wind in their sails as they kept pushing and probing for an equaliser. The Gunners’ prayers were answered in 50th minute when Alexandre Lacazette’s looping header found its way into the back of the net.
However, Brighton had the final say on the contest as Neil Maupay, courtesy another header ensured that the Seagulls emerged from North London with three points in their kitty.
Here is a look at why the Gunners succumbed to yet another defeat.
#3 Brighton completely dominate the first half
Over the past couple of months, Arsenal have been a side in absolute turmoil and that restlessness reached a crescendo after the Gunners’ defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt last Thursday. Subsequently, Unai Emery was given the boot with Freddie Ljungberg appointed in his stead. Thus, despite the North Londoners not enjoying the best run of form, fans were still willing to get behind the Swede.
However, that optimism quickly turned into a cacophony of boos at half time, courtesy a woeful first-half performance where the hosts were completely outplayed by the visiting Seagulls.
Brighton looked extremely bright from the outset and were willing to impose their offensive identity on the encounter. They passed the ball around with conviction and showcased the requisite desire to get in behind Arsenal’s rear-guard.
Aaron Mooy, Aaron Connolly and Maupay thoroughly relished the Emirates atmosphere as their quick interchange of passes put the Gunners under strife. Moreover, the triumvirate was extremely smart in exploiting the spaces left behind by the likes of Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Consequently, the Seagulls grew into the game and carved open the hosts frequently as Maupay went close on a few occasions. And, eventually, their endeavours bore fruit when Webster stabbed his effort past Bernd Leno.
Apart from the goal, the visitors seemed much more positive and their offensive play didn’t look devoid of ideas, in stark contrast to Arsenal.
More impressively though, they kept the Gunners’ much-vaunted attack at an arm’s length, thereby laying the ideal platform for a solid performance in the opening period.
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