Brighton boss makes Georginio Rutter admission after Arsenal loss
Reaction from Brighton’s 1-0 loss to Arsenal in the Premier League at the Amex Stadium
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler rejected criticism of Georginio's performance after the 1-0 loss to Arsenal.
The £40m Frenchman has just two goals to his name this season and has struggled to build on last term's encouraging start.
Georginio was an unused substitute in the Nottingham Forest, Brentford and Aston Villa matches and his last start was a poor display in the painful 1-0 home loss to old rivals Crystal Palace.
He played the full 90 against Arsenal but his link-up play looked a little off and he, like others, struggled to find space or create chances against a dogged Arsenal defence.
His best effort arrived on the hour when a half-volley from the edge of the box forced a low save from David Raya.
Hurzeler: Georginio needs to flow
"I think he made a good performance today so we can't expect incredible things," said Hurzeler in his post match press conference. "Last season he was in a flow so when a player is in a flow he does incredible things.
"We need to get him back to this flow. There are several things behind every player as a person. A person with a background, a person that might have private issues.
"I think that's something the public should recognise as well. I think he made a good
performance today. He was creative in the final four. He had some chances, he had some shots in the goal so therefore I was happy with him.
"Now we have to keep supporting him so he gets back to his shape."
Saka felt blessed at Brighton
Meanwhile, Arsenal goalscorer Bukayo Saka said he felt “blessed” to have made his 300th appearance for the club in Wednesday’s 1-0 win over Brighton.
“I feel very blessed,” he said. “It’s a beautiful day for me and my family. To top it off with a massive win and a goal, I’m so grateful. Let’s just keep going like this. Let’s keep enjoying this journey and continue like this.”
Saka’s shot in the ninth minute took the merest deflection off Carlos Baleba which was enough to wrong-foot Bart Verbruggen who allowed the ball to squeeze between his legs.
“I had an action before where I thought I could have been a bit more direct,” he said. “When I got the ball next, I said ‘I’m going to be direct and go for it’. I did that, cut in and took a shot. I didn’t know how it went in initially, but a goal’s a goal so we’ll take it.”