Arsenal vs. Brighton: A disappointing night as Arteta makes 10 changes and lost 1-3
We all expected Mikel Arteta to make changes, but I was astonished to see TEN changes from the weekend, with just William Saliba remaining, and there must be an issue with Turner since the rookie Karl Hein was in goal.
So Brighton began more calmly, and for the opening 20 minutes they looked dangerous, but Reiss Nelson surged through the Brighton midfield and found Nketiah, who finished superbly in the top corner.
Their advantage did not last long, though, as Karl Hein made a blunder and fouled Danny Welbeck in the area 5 minutes later. And Arsenal’s former player did an excellent job of converting it. 1-1.
The game carried on end to end, with Nelson looking particularly good for Arsenal, but the Gunners got to the break still all level.
Arsenal opened the second half well, with Eddie hitting the post, Nelson coming close with his head, and Lokonga also having a shot in this half.
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Then calamity strikes as Mitoma puts Brighton ahead again on a lightning-quick counter-attack.
Arteta replies by wearing Martinelli instead of Marquinhos…
But it didn’t last long, as Lamptey scored Brighton’s third 10 minutes later, and Mikel Arteta is anxious and brings on another two of heavy guns, with Tierney and Vieira off, and Jesus and Zinchenko will have to perform miracles in the closing 30 minutes as Brighton pile on the pressure.
With 10 minutes remaining, Arteta substitutes Xhaka for Lokonga, but it’s probably too late….
Martinelli had a go but only fired at the keeper, and Holding’s header was saved shortly after.
A bad day in the office for the Gunner.
