Arsenal 1-2 Brighton and Hove Albion: Maupay downs sorry Gunners

Arsenal’s dismal run of form rolled on as Neal Maupay’s superb header earned Brighton and Hove Albion a 2-1 victory at Emirates Stadium.

Alexandre Lacazette’s 50th-minute equaliser on his 100th appearance for the club looked set to pave the way for Arsenal to claim their first win under caretaker boss Freddie Ljungberg.

Yet Brighton, who had deservedly taken the lead through Adam Webster in the first half, managed to wrest back control after David Luiz had a goal ruled out by VAR.

And it was Maupay who had the final say, as he brilliantly turned home Aaron Mooy’s cross in the 80th minute to end Brighton’s three-match losing streak and condemn Arsenal to their longest winless streak since 1977.

1 – Tonight was Brighton’s first ever Premier League away win against ‘big six’ opposition (D1 L15), and the first time the Seagulls have scored more than once in such a game. Deserved. #ARSBHA pic.twitter.com/mwx4kiaLNG

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 5, 2019

Having started brightly, Arsenal swiftly grew frustrated as Brighton began to click into gear, with Maupay and Davy Propper testing Bernd Leno in quick succession.

Brighton deservedly had the lead nine minutes before half-time, Webster thumping home after Arsenal failed to clear their lines from a corner.

Joe Willock looked set to pull Arsenal level four minutes later, but Mat Ryan pulled off a superb stop from the youngster’s header.

But Arsenal were level five minutes into the second half as Lacazette’s looping header from Mesut Ozil’s cross looped into the top-left corner.

Hector Bellerin was inches away from teeing up Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang soon after, though Leno had to be alert to deny Maupay at the other end.

David Luiz thought he had put Arsenal ahead just after the hour, only for VAR to correctly disallow the goal for offside.

Brighton made their good fortune count – Maupay sending a brilliant glancing header across Leno as the Seagulls clinched their maiden away win over Arsenal.

What does it mean? No Emery, still the same problems

Arsenal are now without a win in nine matches in all competitions, and with the Gunners sitting 10th, 10 points below the top four, their season seems to be quickly spiralling out of control.

Sacking Unai Emery does not seem to have had the desired effect, and if the boos ringing around the Emirates at full time are anything to go by, the club must move to appoint a proven coach as quickly as possible.

Maupay makes history for Brighton

Graham Potter’s side were unfortunate not to claim something from their trip to Anfield on Saturday, but this time they took their chances, with Maupay’s clinical finish ensuring a famous victory.

Aubameyang fails to step up

Much was made of Granit Xhaka losing the Arsenal captaincy, but his replacement in the role – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – was largely anonymous throughout on Thursday, and the one chance he had, when he was played through one-on-one midway through the second half, he snatched at.

What’s next?

A London derby is next up for Arsenal, who face West Ham on Monday. Brighton, meanwhile, host Wolves on Sunday.