Arsenal failed to relieve pressure on under-pressure boss Arsene Wenger on Sunday as the Gunners went down 2-1 against Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex.
Two first-half goals from Lewis Dunk and Glenn Murray, with goalkeeper Petr Cech at fault for both, put the hosts in control on the south coast before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang pulled a goal back moments before the break.
The Gunners dominated much of the second period but could not find a way past Chris Hughton’s side, despite a series of chances.
Here, we rate the performances of those in an Arsenal shirt after their eighth defeat of 2018.
STARTING XI
Petr Cech 2 – Came and spectacularly failed to punch away Brighton’s early corner, leaving Dunk an empty net to score the opener. If that wasn’t bad enough, the veteran let Murray’s header squirm agonisingly through his body. Those two errors overshadowed his excellent stop to prevent Anthony Knockaert. The Czech, unfortunately, looks like a spent force now after a series of blunders this term.
Calum Chambers 4 – Out of position and stuck on his heels as Murray headed in the second. Genuinely got forward well and chipped in with some decent crosses but defensively, struggled, especially against Jose Izquierdo. Taken off late on.
Shkodran Mustafi 4 – Endured a pretty torrid time of it up against the battering ram and experience of Murray. Shaky in possession too, didn’t inspire any confidence.
Laurent Koscielny 4 – The skipper can’t be accused of a lack of effort but communication with Mustafi and Cech woeful. Bullied by Brighton’s tactics to get the ball regularly into the box.
Sead Kolasinac 5 – Very fortunate not to receive a second yellow card for ugly collision with Ezequiel Schelotto. Could have easily been a straight red. Nacho Monreal’s presence hugely missed.
Granit Xhaka 4 – Displayed great poise to lay the ball on for Aubameyang to score but wasteful in possession otherwise and no cutting edge.
Jack Wilshere 4 – Below-par showing, struggled to get a real foot on the ball and produce any kind of rhythm. Frustrating like many others in a black shirt.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan 4 – The Armenian offered very little from a creative standpoint and didn’t help Chambers with much defensive support. Hauled off with a few minutes left.
Mesut Ozil 5 – Head down all too quickly, throwing his gloves to the grass in disgust at the conceding of Brighton’s second. Body language was all wrong though he looked better on the ball in the second 45.
Alex Iwobi 3 – Touch and movement was off. It wasn’t his day but just a poor showing and Arsenal fans were happy to see Welbeck replace him.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 6 – Showed predatory instincts to flick the ball home and give Arsenal a lifeline with his goal. Always a willing runner in behind but regular service wasn’t there and Brighton defended well.
SUBS:
Hector Bellerin 4 – Put himself about with there being plenty of stoppage time for the Gunners to find an equaliser but couldn’t muster anything.
Danny Welbeck 4 – Largely non-existent and his contribution probably rivalled Iwobi’s entire showing.
Eddie Nketiah 5 – The homegrown teenager is one for the future but had little time to make an impact after coming on with ten minutes to go.
