Arsenal: 4 things we’d like to see against Brighton

Another international break awaits Arsenal albeit the tale heading into the coming one couldn’t be more different. Last time out it was richly needed to regroup and refocus, while this time it is most unwelcome.

Riding on the high of four wins in all competitions including the North London Derby, confidence is booming and like a team battering their opponent in the first half, they don’t want the referees whistle to come.

Partly because there will be some inevitable injuries over the international break, but mainly down to wanting to maintain momentum into the Autumn.

Brighton are the side who get to conclude this patch of Premier League football as they host the Gunners at the Amex Stadium and for the first time in a while this fixture takes place with the Seagulls above their opponents in the table. Even last season in the 1-0 away win Mikel Arteta’s side were above Graham Potter’s men by four points.

4 things we’d like to see from Arsenal against Brighton in the Premier League clash at the Amex Stadium on Saturday

The hosts’ only defeat so far this term came on home soil when Everton left the south coast with a 2-0 win in what has been an otherwise impressive start to 2021/22.

With all the efforts being made to turn this into some Neal Maupay-shaped rivalry, as well as it being the late kick-off on a Saturday and seeing the return of Ben White to his former stomping ground, it’s set up to be an exciting tie.

Does that add to the excitement? Somewhat, perhaps, but it’s very hard not to like Brighton for the football they play and the family feeling around the club, not to mention it’s a lovely city. Maupay puts a dampener on that.

As for the actual football the hope is that Arsenal can continue on this upward trajectory under Arteta and en route to doing so there are a few things we’d like to see.

1. Aubameyang Maintaining High Intensity

Aubameyang was hungry against Tottenham. Too many times last season, with mitigating factors coming into it later, he seemed too content to starve. Even without the chances coming to him there didn’t appear to be the thirst for goals like there has been this season.

Keep it up, is what we say.

One of the most interesting aspects of the derby win was hearing Spurs fans lament the difference in attitude between Aubameyang and the likes of Harry Kane and Heung-min Son. Bemoaning the engagement of the strikers on the pitch, it was as much the No. 14’s willingness as it was the pair’s crestfallen demeanour.

Maintaining such intensity across the whole season is achievable for someone who has barely missed a kick in his career, especially with the lack of European football to contend with.

While performances of that level are what is required, they will fly under the radar if the goals aren’t forthcoming. Yet consistently producing in the manner he has will result in the goals flowing. He’s clearly brimming with confidence and extending that into the international break would has to be the aim.

Continued…