Brighton & Hove Albion v Arsenal
6 APRIL 2024 -
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 0 ARSENAL 3
PREMIER LEAGUE - at the AMERICAN EXPRESS STADIUM, FALMER.
Next for Albion was a visit from high-flying Arsenal for a Premier League encounter, "live" in front of the Sky Sports cameras, the game also being covered by BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio Sussex Sport.
Previously, Albion had drawn 0-0 at Brentford on the 3 April and for Arsenal's visit Head Coach Roberto De Zerbi made five changes to his starting line-up from that game, with Tariq Lamptey, Pervis Estupinan, Jakub Moder, Julio Enciso and Danny Welbeck coming in for Joel Veltman, Igor Julio, Facundo Buonanotte, Adam Lallana and Joao Pedro.
Last time out Arsenal had beaten Luton Town 2-0 at home in the Premier on the 3 April and for their visit to the Amex Manager Mikel Arteta made four changes to his starting line-up from that game, with Jorginho, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus replacing Thomas Partey, Emile Smith Rowe, Reiss Nelson and Leandro Trossard
Earlier this season in the reverse fixture, Arsenal beat the Albion 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium on the 17 December 2023, with their goals coming from Gabriel Jesus (53m) and Kai Havertz (87m).
Last season, the teams met three times. On the 9 November 2022, in the Third Round of the Carabao Cup, the Seagulls pulled off a surprise 3-1 win, with their goals coming from Danny Welbeck (27m, penalty), Kaoru Mitoma (58m) and Tariq Lamptey (71m), after Eddie Nketiah (20m) opened the scoring for the Arsenal. In the Premier, at the Amex on the 31 December 2022, the Arsenal ran out 4-2 winners, with their goals coming from Bukayo Saka (2m), Martin Odegaard (39m), Eddie Nketiah (47m) and Gabriel Martinelli (71m). In the reverse fixture at the Emirates Stadium on the 14 May 2023, the Albion beat the Gunners 3-0,with the goals being scored by Julio Enciso (51m), Deniz Undav (86m) and Pervis Estupinan (90+6m). T
Needing a win to go top of the league, Arsenal missed a great chance of taking a first minute lead when defender Gabriel Magalhaes headed Martin Odegaard's free-kick wide of the goal from close-range. Thereafter the Albion created a number of opportunities but Julio Enciso, Jakub Moder and Simon Adingra failed to hit the target. Gabriel Jesus then saw his well-struck shot pushed away by Albion keeper Bart Verbruggen. The visitors took the lead on 33 minutes when Tariq Lamptey felled Jesus in the box and the resultant penalty-kick was calmly converted by Bukayo Saka. 0-1.
Prior to the break Enciso's curled shot saw Arsenal keeper David Raya make a fine save in deflecting the ball for a corner.
Half-time 0-1.
First action of the second-half saw Verbruggen produce a fine save in tipping Odegaard's effort over the bar and on 62 minutes Arsenal increased their lead when Enciso lost possession of the ball to Odegaard who in turn found Jorginho on the right whose cross was onverted by Kai Havertz from close-range. 0-2. Arsenal were now in control of the proceedings and it was no surprise when they scored their third goal on 86 minutes when Jorginho's pass sent Leandro Trossard away and the former Albion favourite ran half of the length of the field of play before dinking a shot over the despairing dive of keeper Verbruggen. 0-3. The score-line reflected the superior play of the visitors who returned to the top of the Premier.
Final-score 0-3.
Match stats:
Albion had 10 attempts at goal, with 2 on target and won 8 corners, free-kicks conceded - 14.
Arsenal had 20 attempts at goal, with 7 on target and won 7 corners. free-kicks conceded - 13.
TO SUM UP -
The 0-3 score-line reflects the extent of Arsenal's superiority over the Albion on this one. It was only Albion's second home defeat of the season in the Premier. Former Albion players Ben White and Leandro Trossard must have enjoyed their return to the Amex, along with their new team-mates.
Albion line-up (4-2-3-1):- Bart Verbruggen; Tariq Lamptey, Jan Paul Van Hecke, Lewis Dunk (Capt), Pervis Estupinan; Carlos Baleba, Pascal Gross; Simon Adingra, Jakub Moder (Facundo Buonanotte 63), Julio Enciso (Joao Pedro 63); Danny Welbeck (Ansu Fati 76).
Subs not used: Jason Steele (G/K), Joel Veltman, Igor Julio, Adam Lallana, Valentin Barco, Cameron Peupion.
Arsenal line-up (4-3-3):- David Raya; Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes Oleksandr Zinchenko (Takehiro Tomiyasu 72); Martin Odegaard (Capt) (Fabio Vieira 89), Jorginho, Declan Rice; Bukayo Saka (Gabriel Martinelli 64), Kai Havertz (Eddie Nketiah 89), Gabriel Jesus (Leandro Trossard 64).
Subs not used: Aaron Ramsdale (G/K), Jakub Kiwior, Thomas Partey, Emile Smith Rowe.
Referee: John Brooks (Leicestershire).
Yellow Cards: Albion: 1 - Carlos Baleba. Arsenal: 2 - Ben White, William Saliba.
Possession: Albion - 55%. Arsenal - 45%.
BBC Sport Player of the Match: Kai Havertz (Arsenal).
Attendance: 31677.
NEXT GAME:
13 APRIL 2024 - BURNLEY - away - Premier League - kick-off 15.00.
Jack Kaye.
12 April 2024.