Player ratings as Alexandre Lacazette’s strike wins Gunners victory

From AMEX – Alexander Lacazette came off the bench to score seconds after his introduction to give Arsenal a 1-0 victory, their second straight Premier League win, to the detriment of toothless Brighton on Tuesday night.

The Seagulls dominated possession in the first half and opened decent openings for Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Dan Burn, but their lack of efficiency in the final third came back to bite them as the Gunners stole the victory in second period.

Bukayo Saka passed Burn on the right to give Lacazette a tee shot, who shot goalie Robert Sanchez to the near post to carry Arsenal to 13th. Brighton falls to 17th place and relegation fears start to grow.

Robert Sanchez (GK) – 5/10 – Made a big stop to deny Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Powerless to prevent the goal.

Joel Veltman (RB) – 6/10 – Martinelli’s move often confused former Ajax, although he was never caught with precise passes, mainly because there were a lot to deal with.

Adam Webster (CB) – 6/10 – Comfortable enough to bring the ball forward to help Brighton create some overlap.

Lewis Dunk (CB) – 5/10 – Booked just before time. I got caught and I fell on the buttocks for Lacazette’s strike.

Dan Burn (LB) – 5/10 – He literally towered over Bukayo Saka, although their battle was one in which he had deteriorated. He was grazed on the wing by his counterpart for the only goal of the game.

Davy Propper (RM) – 5/10 – A first start to the season in the league for the Dutch international. Did some decent but largely anonymous and replaced races for Solly March.

Yves Bissouma (CM) – 7/10 – Very easy to watch with the ball at his feet and never far away whenever a stray ball was there to be claimed. Best Brighton Player.

Pascal Gross (CM) – 5/10 – Could not assert himself defensively and evoked no good serve for those in front of him.

Bernardo (LM) – 6/10 – Like Propper, a first start to the league season. Willing runner on the left but could have given Burn more protection against the dangerous Saka. Was dominant in the air, the spirit.

Alireza Jahanbakhsh (ST) – 5/10 – Had some good opportunities, pulling a save from Bernd Leno towards the end of the first half. Dribbled his way out of a few tight holes. A truly cynical foul saw him reserved and he was hooked soon after.

Alexis Mac Allister (ST) – 5/10 – Isn’t he a striker by trade, so his lack of movement has given Brighton midfielders little to aim for. I couldn’t provide anything magical like the Crystal Palace equalizer.

Neal Maupay – 4/10

Solly March – 5/10

Leandro Trossard – 5/10

Bernd Leno (GK) – 6/10 – Descend quickly to stop Jahanbakhsh’s powerful strike. Has not been over tested but has done what it takes to keep hosts from scoring.

Hector Bellerin (RB) – 6/10 – Burned out from the corners at one point, which shows he’s not short of confidence. A good outlet on the right.

Rob Holding (CB) – 7/10 – Arsenal’s main voice in defense, always barking orders at his colleagues. Brighton forwards often played in front of him so he was rarely put at ease.

Pablo Mari (CB) – 7/10 – Good in the air and one of Arsenal’s most reliable passer. A center-back spot is there for Mari to take, although Gabriel can step into the fold when recovering from coronavirus.

Kieran Tierney (LB) – 6/10 – A fairly solid performance from the Scotsman. Diligently did all of his defensive work.

Granite Xhaka (CM) – 6/10 – Did not offer any compound in possession and got another ripped apart by Jahanbakhsh on the wing in a poor first half. Helped Arsenal assert themselves more in the second half. A classic tale of two halves for the Swiss international – poor in the first, fairly decent in the second.

Mohamed Elneny (CM) – 5/10 – Much too pedestrian and offered nothing on the defensive. Impossible to pass Arsenal in good positions. The Gunners need Thomas Partey’s back cut ASAP.

Bukayo Saka (RM) – 8/10 – He always looked bright and burnt in front of Burn to prepare for Lacazette’s opener. Arsenal’s most exciting attacking player yet and that quality moment ended up deciding the game.

Emile Smith Rowe (AM) – 7/10 – Often hungry for the ball in the first half but had more serve in the second and looked dangerous. A few glittering toe dribbles created chances for Aubameyang and Martinelli.

Gabriel Martinelli (LM) – 6/10 – Fired a little more in the second half because of the good work of Smith Rowe. Replaced by Alexandre Lacazette after a largely subdued evening.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (ST) – 6/10 – Got his first glimpse of the action early in the second half, leading Sanchez to a close-range save. I could have done better in a few positions, but that was to be expected in his first game in a few weeks.

Alexandre Lacazette – 7/10 – Noted moments after arriving, providing a desperately needed quality moment to sweep away Saka’s reduction.

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