'Every single one of them’ - Alan Shearer delivers glowing Brighton verdict after Arsenal thrashing
Alan Shearer said Brighton and Hove Albion ‘absolutely battered’ Arsenal, during their stunning 3-0 victory over the Premier League champions.
Pascal Gross, Charalampos Kostoulas and Chema Andres scored, as Fabian Hurzeler’s side marked Albion’s 125th anniversary celebrations with a memorable win at the Amex Stadium.
Brighton dominated the contest and created several opportunities to extend their lead, prompting former England captain Shearer to suggest the margin of victory could have been even greater.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, the Newcastle legend said: “It should have been more, the chances Brighton created, they were that good.
“They absolutely battered Arsenal. How many times have we said that recently? From start to finish today Brighton were magnificent, every single one of them played their part.
“They were strong, they were fit, they went after Arsenal. They had no fear and it worked brilliantly for them, it should have been six or seven goals.”
Gross opened the scoring after 31 minutes with an excellent right-footed finish which beat David Raya and went in off the post.
Kostoulas doubled Albion’s advantage on the stroke of half-time, drilling a powerful effort beyond the Arsenal goalkeeper from 25 yards to register his third goal in as many matches.
Andres then marked his first Premier League start with his first Brighton goal, heading home Gross’ corner in the 57th minute.
Shearer – the record Premier League goalscorer – was particularly impressed by Albion’s collective pressing and organisation as they prevented Arsenal from settling into the game.
He added: “Every time they chased down the ball, they got it absolutely spot on. They did it as a team, they didn't do it individually.
“They thought we respect Arsenal but we're not going to give them any space to play. The organisation was great and that just doesn't happen on its own and you've got to give Fabian Hürzeler credit for that.”
Former Hull City defender Curtis Davies was also full of praise for Brighton’s display and felt Arsenal had failed to trouble Hurzeler’s team.
Davies told BBC Radio 5 Live: “The work ethic, the dynamism, the football quality that they showed, to the decisiveness they showed in areas of the pitch, it was always correct.
“We spoke about this Brighton side before coming into the game where they scored a lot of goals, they came up against a tough Arsenal side with a strong defence.
“That defence today was nowhere near what it's used to being. The disappointment will be a set-piece goal conceded, Arsenal will have a real long look at themselves. On the other side of it Verbruggen had one big save to make.
“They didn't lay a glove on Brighton, and didn't make anything of their attacking situations.”
There were wonderful scenes before kick-off as thousands of blue and white flags were waved around the Amex.
Albion’s players also wore a special kit inspired by the colours used by the club in 1901, with the emphatic victory providing a fitting conclusion to the anniversary celebrations.