Brighton vs Arsenal: 3 Key Player Battles at AMEX Stadium

BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - JUNE 20: Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal is challenged by Yves Bissouma of Brighton and Hove Albion during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal FC at American Express Community Stadium on June 20, 2020 in Brighton, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

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Brighton’s English midfielder Tariq Lamptey (Photo by TIM KEETON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Kieran Tierney vs Tariq Lamptey

Scarily quick and full of energy, Tariq Lamptey‘s expected return from injury on Tuesday provides the home side with added threat down the right flank.

Depending on how much pressure Arsenal can put on the Seagulls, Lamptey’s influence will vary. For any side playing wing-backs, or with offensive full-backs, pinning them as far back as possible diminishes the opponents’ attacking prowess.

Lamptey loves playing one-two passes by the touchline and busting a lung to overlap the forwards. Reduce that threat and Arsenal will be less vulnerable.

To contain that element of Brighton’s game, Tierney pushing up into a left-winger role will force the hosts back and cut off one of the out-balls for the defenders and midfielders to choose from in the case of turnovers.

Arsenal don’t want to see a Brighton back-five, but if they do it implies that they’re making the right choices in their attacking shape. Lamptey can’t be subdued all evening, but if there is similar harmony on Arsenal’s left as seen against Chelsea, they’ll give the 20-year-old no option but to focus his energy on covering Tierney’s runs.

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