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

[dangull]

Some crazy risks at the back for my liking, but that's the way we play, I guess. Maybe against the top 2 a few more hoof up the pitch is ok.

 

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

We look off it today to me. Not sure if it's tiredness or down to Arsenal's system/pressing. We've given the ball away sloppily a lot.

The way we play is high risk/high reward but the balance shifts towards risk when our passing machine isn't perfectly calibrated. That's my worry but Arsenal haven't been their usual self either(like with us I don't know if that's down to them or how we're set up/playing) so the game is there for the taking.

 

[holybanjo]

We badly need Caicedo back in the middle. I just feel like everytime the ball is kicked into the middle of the park Arsenal pick it up, with Caicedo in the middle you just know he will be there to save the day or at least be putting the Arsenal player under pressure if they get there first.

When Arsenal counter it feels like I'm watching us at our best, mainly because Caicedo isn't there to intercept.

Pervis is worrying me too, feels like he is a red card waiting to happen the way the game is playing out.

We need a plan to help him out and shut Saka down. I would think Caicedo switches to midfield and Gross goes to right back.

 

[AmexRuislip]

Roy Keane sticking up for Caicedo, balancing things up and sticking up for bro.

 

[GoingUp]

It’s weird how often our best chances come from lumped clearances when teams press us, all from our chances have been created like this and not with our normal slick passing.

That's how we often play now, it's what I've loved since RDZ took over.

The players dont have to pass it all the way from front to back from a press, we often ping it over the middle too.

 

[figgis]

Roy Keane, on Caicedos tackle, sometimes you have

Roy Keane sticking up for Caicedo, balancing things up and sticking up for bro.

Love it.

 

[Guinness Boy]

Some appalling refereeing again

 

[holybanjo]

Will take a 0-0 at the finish as any point from this will be a bonus. Lads played OK and certainly been a match for Arsenal so far. Only let down has been Ally Mac who, for some reason hasn't played well since the world Cup.(apart from decisive penalty against United)

I think you’re missing the grunt work he does. Better with Caicedo in midfield which I expect we will see after half time.

 

[AlexBH]

Not the best performance, but not the worst. Need to be careful at the back though, Arsenal lay a similar style and like to press high up the pitch.

 

[Icy Gull]

Am I alone in enjoying this? Some of the passing at the back is big cojones in the extreme, we all know it will go wrong one day, hopefully not today.

 

[peterward]

We look off it today to me. Not sure if it's tiredness or down to Arsenal's system/pressing. We've given the ball away sloppily a lot.

The way we play is high risk/high reward but the balance shifts towards risk when our passing machine isn't perfectly calibrated. That's my worry but Arsenal haven't been their usual self either(like with us I don't know if that's down to them or how we're set up/playing) so the game is there for the taking.

On what you've seen in first half..... take a guaranteed point now or play second half and go for all 3?

 

[jcdenton08]

Am I alone in enjoying this?

I think it’s very nervy, we are playing one of the best teams in the league. I was never likely to “enjoy” it in fairness.

 

[Hugo Rune]

Macalister has been a complete passenger since the Man U game, had his head turned?

I thought he was our best player along with March against Everton (admittedly- a low bar).

 

[Bodian]

We look off it today to me. Not sure if it's tiredness or down to Arsenal's system/pressing. We've given the ball away sloppily a lot.

The way we play is high risk/high reward but the balance shifts towards risk when our passing machine isn't perfectly calibrated. That's my worry but Arsenal haven't been their usual self either(like with us I don't know if that's down to them or how we're set up/playing) so the game is there for the taking.

Really missing Caicedo in midfield - he is so often the one who receives the ball, turns and breaks through 2-3 players. MacAllister does it, but not so well, or as frequently.

 

[Mustafa II]

Good first half. Two great footballing sides cancelling each other out through the high press.

Arsenal are a very good side, and we've probably been marginally better. No clear chances, but perhaps we had the best chance of the halg through the Mitoma cross/Enciso shot.

Ferguson is a beast, could be the difference today. Worried about Estupinan - rightly getting stuck in, but could get sent off if he's not careful (we don't want him to be too careful up against Saka).

Concerned about Trossard... he looks up for this. Would be absolutely typical if, you know, I'm not even going to say it.

Could go either way this fixture judging by the first 45, but we can be proud that we are matching, if not bettering, this very strong Arsenal side in this first half.

 

[Icy Gull]

I think it’s very nervy, we are playing one of the best teams in the league. I was never likely to “enjoy” it in fairness.

Well compare it to how we used to play….

 

[The Wizard]

Sky sports basically just do 15 minutes of adverts during half time now, do they need more money or something??

 

[SeagullsoverLondon]

Step up AliMac.

Been outplayed and out marked by Jourjinho and led to us giving the ball away In dangerous places. Interesting that Colwill is man marking odigaard. Sometimes our furthest forward player when they have the ball

 

[pb21]

Will be a different 2nd half imo. Arsenal will increasingly start to push for a goal as they really need to win. We need to be patient and take out chance/s when they come.

 

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

On what you've seen in first half..... take a guaranteed point now or play second half and go for all 3?

I'd take the point to be honest. We don't have much on the bench and I'm worried that as the half goes on and we tire more we're going to give the ball away one too many times in a dangerous position.

If we had options off the bench and looked fresher I'd go for the win but I really, really, want us to qualify for Europe so I'll take the guaranteed point and eke out however many we need.