Arsenal: 3 lessons learned from Brighton Premier League draw

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BRIGHTON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 02: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal applauds fans after his sides draw in the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal at American Express Community Stadium on October 02, 2021 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images) /

2. Arteta’s In-Game Management is a Work in Progress

Knowing how Graham Potter likes to set his team up, how Mikel Arteta was going to counter that in-game was going to be critical. However, Potter got the better of Arteta on the night as Brighton’s press was simply too good. That happens in football.

With Arsenal liking to play out from the back, Brighton’s constant press forced them to go long while making sure there was little to no space in the middle areas. This is exactly what Potter wanted to do and Arteta has no idea how to counter it.

Every time White, Gabriel and Ramsdale looked to play out they were shut down with authority and when the ball was played long, Brighton’s hulking defenders mopped up with aplomb as Arsenal do not have a strong attacker like in the days of Olivier Giroud. There was simply no way through the home side’s press and going the other way, Potter set his team up to exploit the space behind Kieran Tierney as we know he likes to get forward.

Arsenal played into Brighton’s hands.

Arteta was out thought, and it is not the first time. But how he manages in-game decisions is still one of his biggest weaknesses as a manager and, hopefully, it will get better over time.

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