Brighton keeper Ryan surprised himself with one save against Arsenal

Brighton & Hove Albion keeper Mathew Ryan admitted he surprised himself with an early save to deny Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in yesterday's 1-1 draw with Arsenal.
Mathew Ryan looks on as Brighton defend a set-piece against Arsenal. Picture by PW Sporting PhotographyMathew Ryan looks on as Brighton defend a set-piece against Arsenal. Picture by PW Sporting Photography
Mathew Ryan looks on as Brighton defend a set-piece against Arsenal. Picture by PW Sporting Photography

Ryan back-pedalled to push over an early chip from Aubameyang in the Premier League game at the Amex.

The Arsenal striker did put the Gunners ahead shortly afterwards but Ryan then denied Aubameyang again when the forward got through one-on-one.

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Brighton equalised through Jurgen Locadia five minutes later as the Seagulls ended a three-game losing run.

On the early save to deny Aubameyang, Ryan said: "I sort of surprised myself with that first one a little bit. There's always that feeling when you do that, that it's a good one.

"I had that sensation for the first one and I tried to keep it inside but I was quite pumped I was able to keep that one out and help the team.

"I was hoping we could go ahead and take the lead in the game at that stage but Aubameyang pounced not long after that.

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"All in all, we got a point from the game and I was just happy to contribute."

On the one-on-one save, Ryan said: "I felt a little bit more in control. I got a solid hand behind it and it wasn't like a fingertip save like the first one."

Looking at the game as a whole, Ryan felt Albion could have gone on and claimed all three points.

He said: "On the balance of the game, we probably got what we deserved.

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"Defensively we were pretty poor with how we started the game.

"After the 25 to 30 minute mark, we got the goal and got back into the game and I don't think they really threatened too much apart from a few scraps.

"I felt at 1-1, the way the game was unfolding, we were putting them under pressure in the right areas.

"A few of their frailties from the beginning of the year were resurfacing a little bit - with their composure on the ball and we got a little bit of joy from that and had a couple of occasions where we were in on goal but lacked that bit of clinicalness again to put another chance away.

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"We only leave with a point, so it's probably the reason I feel it was two points dropped, especially being at home."

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