VAR fails Arsenal again as Holding proves worth to Arteta's backline

The talking points from the Gunners 2-1 Premier League loss to Brighton

Bernd Leno screams in pain after his collision with Neal Maupay at Brighton


Arsenal's rotten return to Premier League football continued with a second loss in as many games following Neal Maupay's last gasp winner for Brighton at the AMEX Stadium.

One the whole, Mikel Arteta's side produced a much improved performance from that at Manchester City in midweek. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was relentless in drifting behind the Brighton defence and Bukayo Saka was very comfortable filling the gaps he left. Too often, however, Arsenal squandered their chances.





Nicolas Pepe's goal was outstanding as he bent the ball into the far corner but being just one goal ahead instead of two or three left the Gunners way too vulnerable in the closing stages of the game.

football.london take a look at some of the talking points from the loss.


VAR fails Arsenal again


The major talking point from the defeat was Bernd Leno's injury in the first half. Rising early to collect the ball - initially unchallenged - this should have been a routine action for the German. Instead, he now joins a growing list of injuries which was the worst possibility to come from the situation.

Although, like Maupay, Arteta, Emi Martinez and Graham Potter believe the aerial challenge wasn't malicious, that doesn't mean it was completely free of recklessness. Maupay may have been entitled to go up for the ball but even so, on the replay it's clear to see that Leno had possession before the striker jumped.

Even if there was no intent to injure the goalkeeper, the challenge was reckless but what was most striking was that Maupay escaped without a card. A red may have been harsh considering how tough it would have been to evade Leno once airborne but not even receiving a yellow seemed like a let off.

As the game went on, the frustration that was first visible in the reaction to the challenge grew as Brighton became more comfortable arriving late to challenges. Yves Bissouma being the main culprit, racking up six fouls - including late tackles and stray arms off the ball - without booking.

This could be put down to Brighton showing better gamesmanship on the day but had action been taken on Maupay or any of the six Bissouma fouls, Arsenal's chances of leaving with three points would have been significantly better off.

VAR was correct in ruling Aubameyang's goal offside but it feels as if a slight tweak to the way it's used with fouls wouldn't go amiss. Especially when realising Sokratis has been wrongly dealt with on two occasions [a foul on him missed and one wrongly given against Calum Chambers to rule out his goal] and Nicolas Pepe had shouts for a penalty ignored when there was clear contact on him in the box against Sheffield United.
Rob Holding proves his worth in defence

Coming back into the Premier League starting XI for the first time since November [Leicester away], Rob Holding grew very nicely into the match despite having his goal line clearance turned in by Lewis Dunk.

Early on the rustiness was still evident as his execution and technique was lacking at certain points. For instance, what should have been a simple pass back to Martinez was mistimed and ballooned into the air putting the Argentine, Holding and Shkodran Mustafi under unnecessary pressure.

Staying calm, however, the 24-year-old reminded Arsenal fans why he was so highly regarded before his devastating knee injury during the 2018/19 campaign. His reading of the play was impressive as when Mustafi was caught out of position, he swept up behind him nicely and whereas the German was more of an aerial buffer, Holding dealt with Brighton's low crosses well.

Isolated at times, Holding was also very strong in his one-on-one challenges which was a welcome contrast to the fashion in which David Luiz was defending at City. He wouldn't have enjoyed the final 15 minutes of the action but for the most part, the centre-back showed glimpses of his old self.
Time to get used to 4-3-3

At first Arteta switching to a 4-3-3 system seemed as if it could have been a specific plan to counter Manchester City. Having stuck with that shape at Brighton, however, it may be here to stay.

Thankfully for the 38-year-old, Arsenal looked much better than they did at the Etihad and Bukayo Saka may stand to be one of the main reasons. When Granit Xhaka was brought off at City, Arsenal lost their only left-footed central midfielder and with Dani Ceballos replacing him, the flow up to Aubameyang wasn't as smooth as pre-lockdown.

Seeing as Saka had played both as a left-back and left winger, having him blend the two roles in midfield worked exceptionally well. When he was needed in attack, Aubameyang would move infield, allowing the 18-year-old to act like a traditional winger but he wasn't scared to cut inside himself, rattling the crossbar with a right-footed effort on one occasion.

His spell at left-back also seems to have served him well in the role as he was very aware of when Sead Kolasinac needed defensive assistance. It may have appeared like a gamble playing Saka there ahead of kick off but it was one that looked like it could pay off in the coming Xhaka-less weeks.

A knock-on effect from this was the ease at which Aubameyang was able to link up with Alexandre Lacazette in the final third. Their final passes didn't always connect as wanted but the fluidity they showed in their movements and touches for each other were very promising.