Brighton player ratings vs Arsenal: Too many 5s but Albion nearly mount unlikely comeback after 60-minute onslaught

The hosts were dominant for most of the match and should have been out of sight by half-time.

Martin Ødegaard’s 14th minute strike – his first of the season – separated the sides at the break but the hosts finally added to their lead in the second-half. This was courtesy of Georginio’s own goal, from Declan Rice’s inswinging corner, after 52 minutes.

A Brighton comeback looked very unlikely, such was Arsenal’s stronghold, but they nearly salvaged a point.

Diego Gomez halved the deficit after 64 minutes before Yasin Ayari and Yankua Minteh both went close for Albion.

Minteh was one of three players – who started the goalless draw against Sunderland – to drop to the bench before kick-off. But the impact substitute gave a toothless Brighton attack a bit more bite after the break.

His curling effort was heading for the top corner before Raya pulled out a sensational save.

With Brighton committing men forward, Arsenal had chances aplenty to seal the victory but were unable to restore their two-goal advantage.

With Danny Welbeck among the late subs, you felt an equaliser was inevitable from the former Gunner. But the hosts held firm to move back to the top of the table.

The result means Brighton drop to 12th and they are now without a win in five games. Next up is a trip to West Ham on December 30.

Here are our Albion player ratings:

Bart Verbruggen – 6: He was a very busy man all afternoon as Arsenal ran Brighton ragged. T he Dutchman’s distribution was poor in the first half, which invited pressure on the team – and it was his misplaced pass which led to the opening goal. Brilliant save to stop Martin Zubimendi’s backheel from finding the net. The keeper got away with just a caution after a very strong challenge on Viktor Gyökeres. It was checked by the VAR but a yellow card was deemed sufficient – probably as the Arsenal striker was heading away from goal.

Jan Paul van Hecke – 6: Back from illness. Tried his best to antagonise the Arsenal forwards when he could to disrupt the hosts’ momentum. Involved in tussle with Merino, which added some sparks to the match. Difficult afternoon for the defenders but van Hecke mostly did well.

Lewis Dunk – 6: Back from suspension. Booked for foul on the lively Saka, who caused all sorts of headaches today. Gave Ødegaard too much space for opening goal. Vital piece of defending at 2-1. Did enough to put Saka off in the third minute of injury-time when the Arsenal man looked destined to score – brilliant defending.

Diego Coppola – 5: Kept his place in the team after the clean sheet against Sunderland, as Hurzeler shifted to a back five with three centre backs. The Italian youngster had his work cut out against former Seagull Leandro Trossard, who won the battle more often than not. That was summed up when Coppola was booked for foul on the Belgium international. The defender was later beaten by a clever run from Trossard’s replacement Martinelli but the Brazilian somehow failed to score from close range.

Jack Hinshelwood – 6: Had his team’s first shot, which came in the second half but it was straight at Raya. Some nice touches on the left flank, where Brighton had the odd bit of joy.

Yasin Ayari – 7: Heavily involved in his team’s goal as it was his shot that hit the post, before Gomez picked up the pieces. The Swedish midfielder had two bites at the cherry just moments later as Brighton threatened an unlikely equaliser but Arsenal cleared the danger.

Diego Gomez – 7: Picked to start on the left flank – with Brajan Gruda on the right and Minteh on the bench – but Albion’s attack was anonymous in the first-half. Arsenal were completely dominant. Gomez took his chance when it came on the 64th minute and it was a well-taken goal.

Ferdi Kadıoğlu– 5: Struggled defensively and was unable to offer an attacking threat this afternoon. Not strong enough in the tackle on occasion. Dangerous corner nearly ended up in a goal for Mats Wieffer at the back post. Arsenal fans screamed for a penalty after the Turkish international gave Gabriel Jesus a nudge in front of goal. Wasteful pass in Brighton’s final attack of the game – let the hosts’ off the hook.

Brajan Gruda – 5: Not able to get into the game and replaced at half-time.

Georginio Rutter – 6: Not been a great season for the Frenchman and it took a turn for the worse when he headed the ball into his own net – putting Arsenal two ahead. He made amends, with some nice hold-up play in the build-up to Gomez’s goal. A nice flick set up Minteh’s big chance.

Maxim De Cuyper – 5: Not able to impact the game in the first-half and struggled defensively. Hooked at the interval.

Substitutes:

Yankuba Minteh – 7: Injected some much-needed energy into the team at half-time and so nearly scored the leveller. It was an incredible save from Raya to deny the Gambian forward.

Mats Wieffer – 7: Did well when he came on. Unlucky not to score at the back post.

Danny Welbeck – 6: Perhaps could have come on a bit earlier. You felt a goal was inevitable against his former team but he never really got a chance to score.

Tommy Watson – N/A

Charalampos Kostoulas – N/A