Brighton and Hove Albion 2-1 Arsenal
Premier League Matchday 29
Amex Stadium
It’s more negativity here. Since we lost away. Again.
We actually started off well, at least within the first 10 minutes or so. We had some chances via Ozil and Wilshere, but then we conceded a soft goal from a set piece.
The starting line-up was OK, with a back-four, and the usual big-guns present. However, it was the same old errors, and lack of attitude.
I won’t go too much into such things, since it will rehash much of the same issues being discussed by us fans for years.
Nonetheless, the first half followed an odd pattern:
– We did start well, and end well
– The middle was full of passing and organisational errors, and we couldn’t handle Brighton’s crossing capabilities.
– The first goal was down to bad marking, and a flailing attempt at the ball from Cech.
– The second goal was also down to bad marking, and Cech’s ineptitude. The cross coming in from their right was not closed down properly, and Chambers and Mustafi were not marking their attacker effectively. Cech was slow to react, and Murray’s downward header should have been saved.
– Koscielny had a header towards the end that hit the post.
– PEA got one back, from a classic poaching position.
In the second half, things did improve somewhat. We showed a bit more attacking impetus, though it was not enough to get back into the game.
It was more of the same. Another away defeat and more opposition fans expressing their glee in him “wanting to stay”.
Impressions
The same issues were evident, as they have been in various games this season.
There was a continual sideways passing motion, which didn’t offer much penetration nor incisiveness.
Our possession stats were very high, but again we lacked the penetration to break through.
We created few clear-cut opportunities to score, and overall Brighton warranted their win.
I believe the players are not playing for the manager. I don’t think we will see a situation akin to Chelsea in 2015. It’s pretty much that, maybe, they feel uninspired by the current regime. It seemed, at least to me, that the team was not looking to be probing with the ball.
This is not a pattern. It’s a continued malaise. And it needs to change, pronto.
Surely, it’s time now for him to go.
This game was a carbon copy of most of our games in recent years, and this pattern is fairly consistent.
Brighton played well. But with the proper drive and motivation, we would have won this game, I believe.
Player ratings:
CECH 4;
CHAMBERS 4; KOS 4; MUSTAFI 4; KOLASINAC 4
XHAKA 6; WILSHERE 5; OZIL 5
MKHITARYAN 4; AUBAMEYANG 6; IWOBI 4
NKETIAH 5; WELBECK 5; BELLERIN 4
It’s another bad result and we need change, but surely the only way is for our great man to go.
Kolasinac may still be in trouble for a heavy hit on Scheletto
Were there any positives?
Yes. PEA got another goal. Wilshere was OK, and Ozil didn’t do badly. Xhaka also had a good game, I feel.
Let’s hope we can do far better in Milan on Thursday.
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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