The points were shared at the AMEX Stadium as Arsenal limped off to secure a 0-0 draw against Brighton. Mikel Arteta would be the happier of the two managers to walk away with a point after an impressive display from the hosts.
With four wins from their opening six games, the Seagulls have proved they are capable of competing with top teams this season. They started the game brightly and Graham Potter’s side dominated for the majority of the first half, creating a couple of clear-cut chances.
The Gunners were a much-improved team in the second half. However, goal-scoring opportunities were few and far between. This result ends their winning streak and they now sit ninth in the Premier League table going into the international break.
Let’s take a look at some of the talking points from the game:
1. Aaron Ramsdale is the new No.1:
Many fans were cynical when Arsenal splashed the cash to secure the signing of Aaron Ramsdale this summer. It is fair to say that the youngster has proved all the doubters wrong. The England international has kept four clean sheets in five games for the club and has organized the backline pretty well.
Ramsdale made a crucial intervention to a cross in the dying stages of the game. His outstretched fingertips diverted the ball away from Neal Maupay, who was unmarked in the six-yard box. Moving forward, he looks to be the main man between the sticks for the north Londoners.
2. Rock solid defense:
Although the hosts managed to register 21 shots, only two of them were on target. Much of it was due to a solid display from the Gunners back four. Arteta seems to have found his ideal center-back pairing in Gabriel and Ben White. The Brazilian won most of the duels in the air and marshaled the defense perfectly. White worked in tandem with his defensive partner to keep the hosts at bay.
Kieran Tierney has been an integral part of Arteta’s side since his arrival. With the addition of Takehiro Tomiyasu to the backline, the Emirates club have strengthened their flanks considerably. While Tierney occupies a very advanced position during possession, Tomiyasu stays back to provide cover in the event of an opposition counter-attack.
3. The attacker’s misfire:
On a day when the defenders impressed, the attackers failed miserably. They have just scored five goals in the opening six games, which is a worrying statistic for Arteta. The Spaniard still has not found the right balance upfront. They just registered two shots on target and struggled to penetrate the Brighton defence all evening. While the defence has been sorted, they are still in dire need of improvements higher up the pitch.
4. Where was derby day’s brilliance?
After a dominant display against arch-rivals Tottenham last week, there was a lot of optimism surrounding the club going into the Brighton clash. However, the Gunners just weren’t good enough last night. They did not showcase the fight and determination displayed on derby day. After a grueling start to the season, the margin for error grows slimmer by the week. Arteta and his team now have a couple of week’s rest to get back to winning ways and start climbing the Premier League table.
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