Arsenal v Brighton review

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Arsenal v Brighton review

By Oscar Maung-Haley

Arsenal picked up a Premier League point on the road following a 0-0 draw against Brighton in horrendous conditions at the Amex on Saturday night.

Here’s a recap of the key talking points.

It’s Ramsdale’s job now

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It cannot be overstated how good Aaron Ramsdale has been for Arsenal since his arrival at the Emirates this summer.

A lot was made of the money the Gunners spent on the 23-year-old shot stopper but so far he’s been more than worth it.

He produced a stunning intervention to keep the scores level on Saturday, diving in to prevent Neal Maupay connecting with Solly March’s header across goal.

And it’s hard to see how Bernd Leno will ever find his way back into the starting line-up with Ramsdale in such good form.

The Arsenal hierarchy received some criticism for spending around £25m on someone who was thought to be a back-up keeper.

But, so far at least, Ramsdale’s signing looks to have been absolute masterstroke.

Stability at the back

While Arsenal may have weathered a storm, both physically and metaphorically, on a dismal day on the south coast, they managed to register another clean sheet.

Three clean sheets in four Premier League games is pretty good going.

After a tumultuous couple of weeks at the start of the campaign, the Gunners back four now looks as settled as it has ever been in recent seasons.

A backline of Ben White, Gabriel, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney looks solid, with plenty of room for improvement and development given they’re all under the age of 25.

As long as the upturn in defensive stability continues, Arsenal are in with a chance of winning every game.

It’ll give them a real chance to build a platform as they continue to find their way going forward.

Lack of cutting edge

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While Brighton did create chances, Arsenal produced one fine sweeping move that could have seen them walk away from the Amex with all three points.

A Tomiyasu pass out from the back into the feet of Alexandre Lacazette saw the French forward lay the ball off to Thomas Partey, who set Emile Smith Rowe free on the counter.

The 21-year-old, supported by Bukayo Saka on the left, burst into the final third, only to see his shot saved by the feet of Brighton keeper Robert Sanchez.

It was an example of Arsenal being able to play front foot attacking football when their confidence is in full flow.

It was also an example of how the Gunners are still lacking a bit of a clinical edge so far this season.

Against Spurs a week prior, they were superb going forward, scoring three goals in the opening 35 minutes.

However, it’s the only time this season that Mikel Arteta’s side have scored more than one goal in a Premier League contest.

If they are to continue their recent good form, Arsenal must improve going forward.

The defence looks to have finally reached a level that could allow Arsenal to compete. Now the attack needs to catch up.

PHOTO CREDITS: GETTY IMAGES

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