Arsenal 2-0 Brighton: Dunk keeps score down to top ratings
Under normal circumstances, a defeat like Arsenal 2-0 Brighton means low scores in the player ratings. But Lewis Dunk is not a normal player.
From the outrageous clearance off the line to deny Ben White to the first half cricket-style long barrier block, Dunk was phenomenal at the Emirates Stadium.
So much so that it is no exaggeration to say without him, the Albion could have lost by four or five to the Premier League leaders.
Jan Paul van Hecke enjoyed a decent game alongside Dunk, with the two Brighton centre backs both racking up scores in excess of seven.
Bart Verbruggen posted a respectable 6.83 but this was an afternoon to forget for everyone else – not that the Albion struggling came as much of a surprise given the effort that went into Thursday night’s win over Marseille.
Here are your Arsenal 2-0 Brighton player ratings.
Bart Verbruggen – 6.83
Made a series of important saves which helped keep the score down. Those impressive interventions more than made up for the fact it was his loose attempted pass out from the back that led to Arsenal earning the corner from which they opened the scoring.
Joel Veltman – 5.50
Turns out the Albion do not just have a left back curse – the phenomena is now spreading to the right. Veltman lasted 27 minutes before he was withdrawn injured.
Jan Paul van Hecke – 7.50
Signed a new Brighton contract on Friday and celebrated with a fine individual display to come second behind Dunk in the Arsenal 2-0 Brighton player ratings. The highlight was a brilliant last ditch tackle on Martin Odegaard.
LEWIS DUNK – 7.83
Blocked a shot with his face. Blocked a shot with his wedding vegetables. Deployed a long barrier to halt a Arsenal attack. Cleared off the line from a seemingly hopeless position. And in amongst all that defending, still found the time to play the pass of the game with a raking 70 yard through ball to release Kaoru Mitoma in the second half. A sublime display.
James Milner – 5.00
Milner marking the speedy Bukayo Saka looked like a decision as ill-advised as Michelle Mone going on the BBC to tell her side of the PPE scandal story. Picked up an early booking (Milner, not Mone) as Arsenal launched most of their early attacks down his flank.
Pascal Gross – 6.00
Being critical of Gross feels like punching a kitten in the face. There can be no doubt he should have equalised though when putting Kaoru Mitoma’s cross into the side netting. Not that Brighton deserved anything from the game, but they could well have snuck a draw had that gone in.
Billy Gilmour – 6.17
When Gilmour develops greater consistency in his game, he is going to be some player. A damp squib here having ran the show against Marseille three days earlier.
Simon Adingra – 5.83
The only Brighton player to make David Raya work in the first half with a testing cross-shot which caused the Arsenal goalkeeper problems. Pretty subdued other than that.
Adam Lallana – 5.00
Brighton being so ineffective as an attacking force meant the game largely passed Lallana by.
Kaoru Mitoma – 5.67
Would have an assist to his name had Gross not squandered that late opportunity to level the game. A couple of other probing runs but it is telling that his most notable contribution was to be booked for fouling Saka, sparking a Mikel Arteta tantrum which earned the Gunners head coach his own yellow card.
Evan Ferguson – 5.00
His recent struggles for form serve a useful reminder that he is still only a teenager. It also serves as a useful reminder Brighton could do with more than just two out-and-out strikers in their squad with the January transfer window fast approaching.
Jack Hinshelwood – 6.00
Replaced the injured Veltman, taking on the tough task of marking Gabriel Martinelli. Will we better for the experience. Up the other end and Hinshelwood recorded the only effort Brighton managed on target all afternoon, a header dealt with comfortably by Raya.
Joao Pedro – 6.17
Pedro entering proceedings helped Brighton become more of an attacking force. Had one shot blocked and played the pass which released Mitoma pin the build up to the Gross miss.
Igor Julio – 6.17
Left on the bench with one eye very much on Thursday night’s game away against Crystal Palace. Solid enough at left back after taking over from Milner.
Facundo Buonanotte – 5.17
Will not be receiving any Oscar nominations based on his theatrical tumble which earned him the wrath of the home support after replacing Lallana.
Danny Welbeck – 5.83
Good to see him back after two months out injured with a muscular problem. Did some decent things in his time on the pitch and can only improve the Albion as he works his way back up to speed.
The WAB Player Ratings are formulated using marks out of 10 given by Brighton fans via Twitter. To have your scores included, follow We Are Brighton on Twitter and look out for the player rating thread after each game.
