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[Player ratings] Brighton 2-1 Arsenal: Pepe stunner not enough as Guendouzi struggles

By on June 20, 2020

matteo guendouzi

It was another frustrating afternoon as Arsenal were beaten 2-1 at Brighton in a game that saw Bernd Leno suffer a serious knee injury.

Our No.1 went down in agony following a needless challenge from Neal Maupay just before half-time. Replay’s showed he hyper-extended his knee while landing and it looks like he’s facing several weeks on the sidelines.

Arsenal were on top and finally broke the deadlock midway through the second half when Nicolas Pepe found the top corner with a superb left footed effort from the edge of the area.

However, sloppy defending allowed Brighton back into the game as we fell asleep from a short corner which led to Lewis Dunk scrambling the ball home for 1-1 in the 75th minute.

To compound matters, Brighton then somehow managed to score a 95th minute goal and predictably it was Maupay who grabbed the winner as he slotted past Martinez following some poor defending.

Here are my ratings from the game:

Leno  6/10 | Stretchered off with a serious knee injury just before half time. Let’s pray for good news.

Bellerin  6/10 | Was given more license to attack but wasn’t really a huge threat. Could have done better to prevent the late goal.

Mustafi  5/10 | Decent enough for most of the game but then gave Maupay the space he needed to score the winner. Typical Mustafi.

Holding  6/10 | Was having a decent game and looked assured at the back but should have done better to clear the ball for their first goal.

Kolasinac  5/10 | Was more reserved than usual as we didn’t see much of him going forward. Didn’t do enough to keep the shirt from Tierney.

Pepe  7/10 | Stunning goal to open the scoring as he bent the ball into the top corner with his lethal left foot. Was otherwise frustrating as he was too predictable. Had the ability to roast the Brighton defence at will but didn’t produce the goods consistently enough.

Ceballos  5/10 | Encouraging start but badly faded as the game went on. Is far too passive at times and needs to be more adventurous with his passing.

Guendouzi  5/10 | Another below average display. Kept things simple with the ball but just doesn’t do enough and is too easily by-passed in midfield. Scuffle at the final whistle with Maupay – shame we didn’t see that kind of fight from him during the game.

Saka  7/10 | Played an a more central role and still impressed. Smacked the bar with a lovely effort early on and was Arsenal’s most dangerous player.

Aubameyang  6.5/10 | Had a couple of decent chances which he failed to convert but looked more interested than he was against City.

Lacazette  6.5/10 | Denied the opening goal by an excellent save midway through the first half. Linked up well with Aubameyang a few times.

Subs:

Martinez  6/10 | Made a couple of routine saves after replacing the injured Leno.

Nketiah  5/10 | No real impact off the bench.

Nelson N/A | On too late

WillockN/A | On too late

Tierney  N/A | On too late

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