[Albion] Brighton & Hove Albion vs Arsenal *** Official Match Thread ***

[zefarelly]

I would give Mitoma, Lallana and Trossard a rest if it’s still 0-2 after 65 minutes. Play the young guns and save the legs for Everton.

I'd have given Trossard a rest already. she, goes through cycles of form and attitude.

that should get me a bollocking ( these days ) apologies to the easily offended boys out there.

 

[Soton Seagull]

They are the better side but we've really helped them with the giving the ball away twice for the 1st goal.

The most disappointing aspect is how utterly clueless we look in the final third. Really missing Welbeck in terms of stretching the defence. They are effective at closing us down and we don't have a plan B.

Bench is very light.

 

[Normandy seagull]

Don’t think Arsenal have actually been that exceptional- we just given them 2 easy goals then just been toothless

 

[zefarelly]

Liverpool

Wolves? Or was that 1 up, 3-1 down?

 

[Jackthelad]

Completely lost his man for their 2nd.

He's not a defender, he can't do everything, and he's already holding much of the team today.

 

[Surf's Up]

Merson on sky is a special breed of bellend isn’t he

Even bigger than Alan Smith you mean is that possible

 

[1066familyman]

Took much ball watching for the goals. Not at the races defensively so far.

 

[crodonilson]

Astonishing there was booing. Seems like a few of the players are more interested in the New Year festivities post match as are plenty of the audience.

 

[sagaman]

We look absolutely second best today. Shows how thin our squad is with this bench

 

[origigull]

We need to pick up the pace 2nd half. It's ok playing like we have done IF we are not losing but it's a bit slow ATM. Still there is 45 mins to play.

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

Sat down in the WSU / North end and there was a bit of it around

Sat in WSU Block I last season - I can imagine if it’s who I think it is!

 

[zefarelly]

Stating the obvious but to get a point we need the next goal

Well . . . We could score 3 or 4.

stranger things have happened

last 4-4 I remember was Leyton Orient ? @ the proper ground.

 

[DarrenFreemansPerm]

Me too, absolutely nothing

I'm in the ground. Simply didn't happen.

.

 

[Mancgull]

Disappointing first half.

Fell asleep for the early goal, which set the tone for the rest of it. Has to go down as a Lamptey error I'm afraid.

Second goal was somewhat fortuitous... but not particularly undeserved or against the run of play though.

Tonight is demonstrating why Caicedo, Mac Allister and Welbz are massive absences from the squad. Would be a different game with them in the side.

We're not playing badly... but we're playing a top side tonight, without key players.

Trossard is not particularly effective in this role. Perhaps even wasted. Needs a rethink IMO.

Can't see anything other than an Arsenal win tonight. We need an early goal to stay in this... but I'm not optimistic.

Spot on analysis.
Arsenal aren’t where they are without being a very good ( and expensive) team. Too many first team absences For us to even make a game of it.

 

[severnside gull]

Trossard needs to be wider to have any impact but we have no pace to fill the void from midfield (with our two stellar midfielders out) so no great surprise. Good to see Gilmour getting involved but he’s not got the same intent

 

[Berty23]

Alan smith is such a biased pundit. Martinelli showing class how he found saka he said. If he did mean to play it off two players then he is an absolute genius!

The second goal the studio analysis said Od showing his class. He shanked that like I shank my wedges at the moment. Very very lucky.

That said they have been miles better than us.

 

[andys320]

Solly for Veltman, Lallana for Trossard, play three at back?

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

Well . . . We could score 3 or 4.

stranger things have happened

last 4-4 I remember was Leyton Orient ? @ the proper ground.

I think the opposition today is of a slightly higher calibre. But yes I get your point

 

[Taybha]

Got to change something at half time but in all honesty it's tricky knowing what we can do,Lallana has been invisible so maybe bring on Ferguson for Adam and drop Trossard in as the 10, he just does not like being isolated like he is,nothing to lose now and Ferguson will at least give them something different to think about, it's been far to easy for them so far,and if Colwill stops the game for a cup of tea on the half way line one more time I fear for my TV screen come on lads get stuck in now.

 

[Farehamseagull]

Don’t think Arsenal have actually been that exceptional- we just given them 2 easy goals then just been toothless

You’re not giving Arsenal enough credit there, they’ve made us look toothless. They’re set up superbly, very difficult to break down but also then very dangerous in transition. They’re in control of everything they do, incredibly well coached and organised.

They do look like champions-elect.