Brighton vs Arsenal: 4 positives of battling 0-0 draw

Arsenal battled hard to secure a point against Brighton on Saturday as Mikel Arteta’s side left the south coast with their unbeaten run in tact after a 0-0 draw.

It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t especially memorable either. The Seagulls mustered a full 21 shots at goal in a match they’ll be feeling disappointed to leave without three more Premier League points as their own unbeaten run in the league was extended, temporarily moving them up to fifth.

Fielding a team that supporters would have almost universally selected themselves, the only change from the North London Derby win over Tottenham saw Albert Sambi Lokonga come into midfield to replace long-term injury absentee Granit Xhaka.

The selection looked like paying off inside 50 seconds as a mazy run from Bukayo Saka culminated in the forward having a pop at Robert Sanchez. Sadly, it didn’t get much better than that.

Brighton vs Arsenal: 4 positives for Mikel Arteta’s side after a battling 0-0 draw in Saturday’s Premier League showdown

Brighton dominated the first half as their high intensity pressing and offensive man marking system saw Arsenal struggle to build from the back, instead forcing Aaron Ramsdale to go long into the Lewis Dunk’s pocket. It was precisely what the hosts wanted.

Despite their plethora of shots, precious few were on target and in a second half that followed a similar vein, just two forced Ramsdale into action that he dealt with comfortably.

Emile Smith Rowe fired straight at Sanchez after the break for the Gunners’ most meaningful effort, yet it was still the Seagulls who were by far the most threatening as wayward finishing and a flying Ramsdale intervention prevented them from taking what would have been a lead few could dispute they deserved.

But, as the Gunners goalkeeper said himself post-match, it’s not all doom and gloom. Sure, after the highs of the Spurs win this may feel like something of a downer, but there are certainly positives to draw from the….draw.

1. Gabriel & Ben White Continue to Build a Solid Platform

These two are looking good. Very good.

There is a certain resilience to the pairing of Ben White and Gabriel is that is growing stronger by the week. Both are asked to be positive in possession – Gabriel likes to zip balls through the lines and White has the capacity to go long – and despite those qualities it’s their physicality in the heart of the defence that is the most endearing aspect at present.

In the air Gabriel is almost unbeatable, while on the floor at the Amex Stadium White led the charge for ball recoveries and clearances in a backs-to-the-wall first half display.

There is an unmissable balance in their play. Whether it be distances between each other or in holding the line effectively, to see a chemistry as theirs blossom in such a short space of time with a language barrier to cross is remarkable. Central defensive partnerships are one of the toughest to strike and they’ve made serious ground already.

Against Brighton they were resolute, physical and commanding. Everything you want to see. Granted, on the ball they were limited, but this was due to an efficient and well drilled Brighton press. When it came to matters in the box, the Arsenal pair had the final say.

While inexperience exists across the pitch, this young pair look more mature than they are. Offering a platform for the rest of the team to build, it’s a huge building block on the road to recovery.

Continued…

2. Arsenal Extend Their Unbeaten Run to Four Premier League Games

After the Manchester City horror show, no supporter could have turned down the opportunity for ten points from a possible 12. Considering one of those sides is in the top five and the other is Tottenham, that’s a tally you’d snatch at.

And Arsenal have got it. All with just one goal conceded in the process.

At this stage everything has to be viewed as progress in some manner and finishing the Brighton clash just four points off the top four (that’s still an unreasonable target) after the abysmal opening three matches is certainly one of them. To do so conceding only once, which came at 3-0 up in a heated derby, is nothing short of positive.

The performance against Graham Potter’s side was desperately below the standard set against Tottenham. With no midweek football to play either, that shouldn’t be happening. Nobody disputes that.

So when you don’t play well and can’t win a match, make sure you don’t lose it. That is what Arsenal managed to do on Saturday and absolutely the right frame of mind going forward is to forget this fixture happened. Analyse the errors, of course, but dust yourselves down and look ahead, not backwards.

Brighton are very decent football team. Arsenal won’t be the only ones to struggle there.

Continued…

3. Aaron Ramsdale Responds in the Right Manner

When you concede 21 shots at goal it’s strange to think the goalkeeper was rarely involved. Somehow, that’s exactly what happened for Ramsdale on the south coast as Brighton’s finishing left plenty to be desired.

In his performance, one that had its most vital moment late into the game, the most pleasing aspect was the strength of his mentality. Mere seconds into the game his first long kick of the evening struck the back of Neal Maupay on its way down the pitch. It was only a slight touch, but one that can knock a goalkeeper’s confidence early doors.

And, when he fumbled what looked like a routine catch in his six-yard area only to see Lewis Dunk blaze a golden opportunity wide (it should have been a foul on Ramsdale), he might have seen his self-belief drain.

Not in the slightest.

It’s been widely noted in the scouting of the 23-year-old that his character and personality were crucial elements of the pursuit. All of those are evident on and off the pitch and the way he responded to early setbacks is exactly the kind of fighting attitude that this team has needed.

Still not having a great deal to do throughout the game, his focus remained in tact and that flying save to prevent Neal Maupay from prodding in the winner is indicative of his mental fortitude.

Ramsdale is a fighter.

Continued…

4. Emile Smith Rowe Has Maturity in Abundance

Arsenal were poor against Brighton. Across the pitch individually and as a whole, it was a performance where if you can grab a point from it you’ll take it.

Lacking drive, commitment and aggression in the duels, the one player who it was felt could do anything to spark some life into the team was undoubtedly Emile Smith Rowe.

That isn’t to say he was brilliant by any means, as the towering Brighton back three had plenty of say in his display. What can be deduced is that this young man, as brilliant as everyone knows he is, is growing as a leader. Not one by voice, one by example.

Driving with the ball, riding challenges and constantly seeking to push Arsenal up the pitch whether anyone joined him or not, there was something in his display that seemed buoyed by his MOTM outing against Spurs. Already mature for his age, that No. 10 shirt fits him more snugly each week.

On another day his effort at Sanchez hits the outside of the goalkeeper’s shin and flies into the back of the net. Had it of done so then Smith Rowe’s performance would have been rightly lauded. While there was no real goalmouth action, there was serious heart. When the senior players were missing on Saturday, Smith Rowe took initiative in another Premier League fixture.

It’s hard to envisage him not being the standout performer this season.