The Arsenal star who is struggling this season

There were very few Arsenal players who could leave the Amex Stadium feeling especially pleased with their individual performances. The standout ones were both central defenders. That was about it.

Aaron Ramsdale also deserves a mention for his fine late intervention, but even he admitted post-match that his kicking wasn’t on par with the standard he sets himself. The swirling wind did play its part.

Nonetheless it’s another point on the board and ensures that Mikel Arteta’s side stretch their unbeaten streak to five games in all competitions, making it ten Premier League points from a possible 12.

Collectively that is strong. Individually, however, some found themselves lacking, with one notably struggling for the form he maintained throughout last season: Kieran Tierney.

Kieran Tierney is struggling to meet the high standards he sets himself at Arsenal after a lacklustre performance against Brighton

It was not the finest of evenings for the Scotsman at Brighton. Which, unfortunately, has been a carry-on from the first game of the season. He has not been anywhere near his best form this term.

There appears to be a reluctance to attack. Now, on the one hand, this is positive. Too often Arsenal have been left-side heavy and the reliance on Tierney to beat his man and whip in a cross meant the Gunners were predictable and blunt. This seems somewhat different.

Overall though, he’s struggled this term. There is undoubted self-infliction when you reach such a high level that it must be maintained before question marks arise. What is strange is that there isn’t any obvious reason as to why it’s happening: his passing is going astray, he loses too many duels and his deliveries aren’t as crisp. It’s very unusual of him.

Key to remember is the difference between form and quality. What Tierney is dealing with at the moment is a loss of form. His quality is irrefutable. Tierney is a magnificent left-back.

Perhaps the greater tactical balance is having an impact. While it’s an improvement under Arteta to focus more clearly on the five lanes of attack, the knock on effect could be the breaking of certain individuals’ rhythms. Tierney may be a byproduct of that.

There is also the possibility of him being so heavily used in each international break having an impact. In the previous set of World Cup qualifiers he played the 90 minutes in each of Scotland’s three matches.

How long this dip lasts for remains to be seen. Yet as much as he is adored, he isn’t exempt from criticism. For now, there is no need to go overboard. While not at his usual lofty standards, he’s been far from dreadful and the run of clean sheets is clearly partly down to his contribution.

What is absolutely certain, however, is that nobody will know this more than Tierney himself. He’ll be putting in the hard yards to rekindle his form.