Arsenal Vs Brighton: Why is everyone losing their minds?

Arsenal could only draw at Brighton and Hove Albion on Boxing Day. Unai Emery, in the process, made some rather curious decisions. That has led to a fan base losing their minds. What’s going on?

It has not been the most positive period for Arsenal. Their first loss in 22 matches to Southampton. Falling out of the EFL Cup at the hands of bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur. And now dropping two more points away to Brighton and Hove Albion. They are not the results that the club would have been hoping for or expecting.

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In their last three league matches, the Gunners have played the 13th, 16th and 18th-placed teams. In those matches, they have earned just four points. That is hardly the return that a top-four team would earn.

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The recent draw with Brighton has raised some extremely concerning questions. It was one of the worst performances of the season, Unai Emery made some downright dumbfounding substitutions, and they squandered another lead thanks to missed chances and some extremely questionable defending. Moreover, Brighton tabled a higher expected-goals than Arsenal. They deserved to win.

In the aftermath of the draw, there has been some rather strong reaction on social media from the fan base, with many fans questioning Emery’s management and even the future of the team — I know, don’t even get me started.

Certainly, Emery should not be completely exempt from criticism. The substitutions of both Mesut Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette were flat-out wrong. Playing a midfield three of Granit Xhaka, Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi was questionable. There is a growing confusion and absence of clarity in the team’s play, which ultimately comes down to the instruction that Emery gives them.

But there was a rather vicious reaction from many of the fans to this performance. There was little grace or mercy for just having an off day. Sometimes, you don’t win the match. That’s just life. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed a couple of good chances. Stephan Lichtsteiner made a criminal mistake that he won’t make again. The injuries took their toll.

In sport, it will not always be your day. It is possible to master the process to the extent that you can make it your day as frequently as possible. That is what Pep Guardiola and Manchester City have done. The process of their play is of such a high standard that they rarely fall below the standard of their opponents. But even teams as excellent as City lose.

Arsenal still sit just outside the top four. Their squad is utterly depleted, and Emery has had just one window to rebuild his personnel. Sometimes, you just have to accept that you are not going to win every day. That does not mean criticism is never accurate, but it does dictate that only truly applies to those issues that are consistently present over an extended period of time.

The world hasn’t ended. Arsenal are just in a bit of bad form. Emery is still progressing this team and re-shaping this club. He just needs time and patience.