Advertisement
X

EPL | Arsenal 1-2 Brighton: Neal Maupay Downs Sorry Gunners

Neal Maupay scored late on as Brighton and Hove Albion claimed their first away victory over Arsenal, who have not won in nine matches

Arsenal's dismal run of form rolled on as Neal Maupay's superb header earned Brighton and Hove Albion a 2-1 victory at Emirates Stadium. (More Football News)

Alexandre Lacazette's 50th-minute equaliser on his 100th appearance for the club looked set to pave the way for Arsenal to claim their first win under caretaker boss Freddie Ljungberg.

Yet Brighton, who had deservedly taken the lead through Adam Webster in the first half, managed to wrest back control after David Luiz had a goal ruled out by VAR.

And it was Maupay who had the final say, as he brilliantly turned home Aaron Mooy's cross in the 80th minute to end Brighton's three-match losing streak and condemn Arsenal to their longest winless streak since 1977.

Having started brightly, Arsenal swiftly grew frustrated as Brighton began to click into gear, with Maupay and Davy Propper testing Bernd Leno in quick succession.

Brighton deservedly had the lead nine minutes before half-time, Webster thumping home after Arsenal failed to clear their lines from a corner.

Joe Willock looked set to pull Arsenal level four minutes later, but Mat Ryan pulled off a superb stop from the youngster's header.

But Arsenal were level five minutes into the second half as Lacazette's looping header from Mesut Ozil's cross looped into the top-left corner.

Hector Bellerin was inches away from teeing up Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang soon after, though Leno had to be alert to deny Maupay at the other end.

David Luiz thought he had put Arsenal ahead just after the hour, only for VAR to correctly disallow the goal for offside.

Brighton made their good fortune count – Maupay sending a brilliant glancing header across Leno as the Seagulls clinched their maiden away win over Arsenal. 

What does it mean? No Emery, still the same problems

Arsenal are now without a win in nine matches in all competitions, and with the Gunners sitting 10th, 10 points below the top four, their season seems to be quickly spiralling out of control.

Sacking Unai Emery does not seem to have had the desired effect, and if the boos ringing around the Emirates at full time are anything to go by, the club must move to appoint a proven coach as quickly as possible. 

Advertisement

Maupay makes history for Brighton

Graham Potter's side were unfortunate not to claim something from their trip to Anfield on Saturday, but this time they took their chances, with Maupay's clinical finish ensuring a famous victory.

Aubameyang fails to step up

Much was made of Granit Xhaka losing the Arsenal captaincy, but his replacement in the role – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – was largely anonymous throughout on Thursday, and the one chance he had, when he was played through one-on-one midway through the second half, he snatched at. 

Key Opta stats

- Arsenal are on their worst run since going 10 matches without victory between February and March of 1977 under Terry Neill.

- Including caretakers, only one of Arsenal’s last five managers has won his first home game in charge – Pat Rice against Sheffield Wednesday in September 1996.

- Arsenal have faced 52 shots on target in their eight Premier League home games this season. In the entire 'Invincibles' season of 2003-04, they allowed just 48 opposition shots on target at home.

Advertisement

- Lacazette has scored 25 of his 32 Premier League goals at Emirates Stadium – of players with at least 30 goals in the competition, he has scored the highest percentage of his goals in home games (78 per cent).

- Ozil had his first Premier League assist since February against Bournemouth, having gone 13 league games without setting up a team-mate. Only Dennis Bergkamp (94), Thierry Henry (74) and Cesc Fabregas (70) have assisted more Premier League goals for Arsenal than the German (53). 

What's next?

A London derby is next up for Arsenal, who face West Ham on Monday. Brighton, meanwhile, host Wolves on Sunday.

Show comments
US