Arsenal surrendered their slim hopes of overtaking Manchester City and winning the club’s first Premier League title for almost twenty years, in a rather timid manner.
From the start of the game, the home team looked lethargic, while the away team were full of energy. Brighton started the game well and continued to be the better team for most of the game.
The match quite fiery with challenges that on a different day would have resulted in yellow cards. One such incident was Gabriel Martinelli making a half hearted attempt to head the ball, but instead bumping into the Brighton player. Another incident was a challenge by Moises Caicedo a few minutes later on Gabriel Martinelli, a tackle that ended Martinelli’s involvement in the match. He was replaced by Leandro Trossard.
For all of Brighton’s possession in the early parts of the first, Arsenal created the better chances, chances that fell to Odegaard and Saka. The chances were not taken. Brighton continued to dominate the game but could not find the break through that their dominance deserved. Brighton forward Mitoma was given Arsenal right back Ben White a torrid time, passing at will with his pace. This prompted Saka to come back more often to help out the defender.
The first half ended evens. Arsenal were fortunate that the first half ended goalless.
Arsenal started the second half better, dominating the ball. Unfortunately it did not last and Brighton quickly took control again.
The first goal came in a rather bizarre manner. Brighton had a corner and as the corner was taken, a Evan Ferguson trod on Kiwior’s boots and it came off. Rather than waiting until the danger was over, the Polish defender knelt down to check his heels and put on his boots, leaving Enciso unmarked. A ball by Brighton’s Estupiñán into the box from the corner was headed into the net by Enciso.
The trod on Kiwior was a foul, but the referee chose not to give it. The Arsenal defender should have continued and not the action he did. It was a huge mistake and he will learn from it.
Arsenal had no real answer to Brighton’s on-going domination. They had the odd fleeting moments such as Trossard hitting the bar, but they were few. Nothing for the Arsenal faithful to get their teeth into. Arsenal made several substitutions, bringing on Smith-Rowe, Reiss Nelson, Nketiah and Thomas Party. None of the substitutes were able to change the team’s fortune on the pitch
Arsenal manager was a frustrated figure on the touchline and booked for dissent. Brighton continued to dominate possession and with four minutes of normal time Brighton doubled their lead. Leandro Trossard’s loose pass to Ramsdale was intercepted by Brighton substitute Denis Undav and lobbed Arsenal keeper Ramsdale.
Brighton defender Estupinan added a third to add to Arsenal’s woes. It came from a weak clearance by Ramsdale. The match ended 0-3 to Brighton, to the delight of their fans. The way Arsenal played and the control that Brighton had over the match, the score could have been more
No Comment! Be the first one.