Arsenal 2-0 Brighton and Hove Albion
Review – Premier League
1st October 2017
Arsenal got a comfortable victory, though Brighton did threaten in parts. However, Arsenal’s quality was too much for the Seagulls, and are our in fifth place and level on points with Chelsea.
The line-up had few surprises, though Koscielny was injured and Rob Holding took his place. Moreover, Ozil was still a doubt, and Iwobi played in the advanced midfield role.
Man United, Man City, and Tottenham, all had relatively straightforward wins yesterday, mixed with a Chelsea defeat, so Arsenal had to capitalise with a win.
First half
Arsenal started brightly, and some good early pressure paid off when Monreal scored via a ricochet, itself resulting from a free-kick on the left-side of the Brighton penalty area.
Brighton however got back into it, and hit the post from a revised free-kick, following a foul from Kolasinac. They also threatened via a corner from their left, which Cech didn’t handle properly.
Lacazette hit the post early on, while Ramsey, Alexis, Iwobi, and Lacazette missed other chances.
Arsenal possibly shaded it, though Brighton did have some chances to score.
So Nacho
Second half
Arsenal dominated it, and it looked like a near testimonial pace. Brighton again had chances, with some headers that were close, but Alexis looked very good. And he assisted Iwobi deftly to get the second.
Brighton continued to push forward, but Arsenal were very comfortable going forward. Lacazette missed chances, as well as Ramsey and Iwobi.
Overall, it was very pedestrian from Arsenal, with plenty of chances but Brighton did look dangerous on occasion.
Iwobi top finish
Impressions/ratings
The game was mixed in parts. Arsenal dominated in large parts, but then Brighton were able to get some chances. A better team, with respect to Brighton, may have punished Arsenal to a greater degree.
However, Arsenal overall were worth the win, though it was not a classic performance. Arsenal held more chances and opportunities to score.
Perhaps Arsenal could have been more clinical in front of goal. Moreover, they played very narrow in the final third, and didn’t utilise enough width as they could have done.
In some ways, the game mirrored that of the WBA game last week, with Brighton having several chances, but ultimately looking jaded and not very up to the challenge. Arsenal’s quality was the elemental factor here, and it was pleasing to get a victory on Wenger’s 21st anniversary as manager. This also is the 45th team he has beaten in his tenure in the league, which is one more now than Sir Alex Ferguson attained at Manchester United.
Cech had little to do, and the defence were OK overall. Holding was able as a replacement for Koscielny, though Mustafi slightly improved compared to the WBA and BATE games. Monreal, goal aside, was consistent as always.
Cech 7, Holding 7, Mustafi 6, Monreal 8
Kolasinac and Bellerin brought some good width on occasion, though Ramsey was poor compared to recent games. His possession and passing were both sub-standard overall, however Xhaka looked strong.
Back close to is best
Kolasinac 6, Bellerin 6, Ramsey 5, Xhaka 7
Alexis didn’t appear to be throwing in the towel, and made a great assist for Iwobi. He had chances to score accordingly, but Iwobi bar the goal was not up to standard in his passing and distribution. Lacazette was quite, but did have chances to score, which he may have taken in another event.
Alexis 8, Iwobi 6, Lacazette 6
Man of the Match – Alexis. I thought his trickery, assist, and passing were top-notch. He seems to be pretty committed, despite his apparent wish to leave us, and he was Arsenal’s principal attacking threat.
A shout-out also to Monreal, since despite his goal, he was solid and dependable as always.
MarbleHallsTV is an Arsenal social media account on Twitter, Facebook and Youtube. Been a Gooner since the 90s, inspired by Ian Wright, then Bergkamp, Vieira, Henry, Pires, Campbell, Rosicky, Koscielny, Ozil and Sanchez. A digital marketer/entrpreneur by profession, born in UK living in the Americas now.
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