Friday, March 29, 2024

Arsenal Win Game Of Two Halves

Alexandre Lacazette came off the bench to score the only goal of the game as Arsenal earned back to back wins for the first time since September. The French striker came off the bench to score the only goal of the game, in a 1-0 win at the Amex Stadium.

Brighton however, are now in danger of being in the relegation zone. They are just two points ahead of 18th place Fulham, who have played one game less.

Brighton gave Davy Pröpper, Bernardo and Alexis Mac Allister their first starts of the season.

Meanwhile, Arsenal made one change from their 3-1 win over Chelsea on Saturday, with club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang back in the side, replacing Lacazette.

Arsenal’s First Half Struggles As Brighton Threatened

Brighton’s Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka battling for the ball.

It was shaky for Arsenal early on, almost gifting Brighton a goal in the eleventh minute. Mohamed Elneny’s poor pass got caught in Bukayo Saka’s feet. This was picked up by Pascal Groß. The build-up would see Bernardo’s cross finding Alireza Jahanbakhsh in the box, with the Iranian firing over the bar.

It would be the same issue for Arsenal eleven minutes later. In the 22nd minute, Bernardo’s header from the long goal kick found Arsenal centre back Rob Holding, who passed back to goalkeeper Bernd Leno. This was cleared away but Brighton came straight back.

Pröpper’s overlap and cross was met by Granit Xhaka who managed to clear out for a corner.

Brighton once again threatened. Both Jahanbakhsh and Bernardo failed to get on the end of a cross. Bernardo got to the ball back and found Jahanbakhsh in the box, who in turn tested Leno with a powerful low drive. The German keeper did well to get the save and recover the loose ball.

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka hit a free-kick over the bar but Arsenal failed to offer much in the first half.

Second Half Sees Different Arsenal Side

Arsenal players celebrate the Lacazette goal.

However, in the second half, it was a completely different and much improved Arsenal side.

Early on in the second half, Gabriel Martinelli picked up the ball in Arsenal’s half and found Saka, whose pass found Aubameyang in the box. The Gabon international’s effort was excellently saved by Spanish goalkeeper Robert Sánchez.

This wouldn’t be the end of Arsenal’s chances. Martinelli fired his 52nd-minute effort over the bar as Arsenal continued to threaten Brighton.

Martinelli and Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma.

Less than three minutes, once again in the counter-attack, Aubameyang cut inside and fired wide.

And then there’s the goal. A minute after Pröpper’s effort was saved by Leno, Lacazette made the immediate impact, just 29 seconds after coming off the bench.

Saka, who impressed in the Chelsea win, burst past Brighton central defender Dan Burn and found Lacazette in the box. He controlled the ball well and with just his second touch of the game, he hit a low shot past Sánchez to give Arsenal the lead.

Bukayo Saka sprinting past Dan Burn in the build up to the Lacazette goal.

Brighton failed to threaten after the goal, as Arsenal held on to win the match.

Arsenal will take confidence from these two wins, as they look to get their season back on track. They face West Brom, Crystal Palace and Newcastle in their next three league games. These are all favourable fixtures.

Arsenal are just six points off fifth place and yet they are also nine points ahead of the relegation zone.

In a league table that seems to change every week, Arsenal can take advantage of a tight table and move up the table.

With just one win in the calendar year at home, this is worrying form for the Seagulls as they look to avoid relegation.

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