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Alexandre Lacazette scored just seconds after coming off the bench as Arsenal posted consecutive league victories for the first time since September with a 1-0 win at Brighton.
The Frenchman had plenty of time to bury his shot in the bottom corner in the 66th minute after some fantastic work down the right wing from Bukayo Saka.
Lacazette’s goal capped a better second-half performance for Arsenal, who endured a disastrous first 45 minutes on the south coast, but emerged after the break with new intentions.
The victory over Brighton lifts Arsenal to 13th in the table and further eases the pressure on Mikel Arteta’s shoulders, while another poor result at home leaves the Seagulls firmly in a relegation fight.
Here are five talking points from Amex.
1. Lacazette doesn’t take long
(Image: POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
Only 21 seconds separated the introduction of Alexandre Lacazette to the game and the striker who found the back of the net.
That’s even more remarkable given the age Lacazette was given in the Brighton area to pick her spot and rifle beyond Robert Sanchez.
The Gaviotas’ defenders were caught off guard following the labyrinthine run of Bukayo Saka, who posted his second assist in two games during another dazzling performance.
Lacazette’s goal was the third in as many games and it was surprising to see the 29-year-old, who is Arsenal’s top scorer this season with seven goals, on the bench for the trip to the south coast.
He seems to have a strong connection with people like Saka and is thriving with a natural No. 10 behind him in the form of Emile Smith Rowe.
2. Arsenal’s terrible first half
(Image: POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
His team may have been victorious over Brighton, but Mikel Arteta will demand a thorough investigation into Arsenal’s terrible first half.
The Gunners finished the first 45 minutes with a shot on goal – a Granit Xhaka free kick that went harmlessly over the bar.
Arsenal’s offensive midfield options showed good play and movement, but their best work came closer to the midline than Robert Sanchez’s net.
And of course the elephant in the room was Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Returning to the starting line-up for the first time since suffering a calf injury, the forward managed nine touches in the first 40 minutes of the game.
He moved cautiously and blew a fantastic opportunity to open the scoring early in the second half.
3. More relief for Arteta
(Image: PA)
Mikel Arteta spoke about how Arsenal’s poor start to the season had left him with “sleepless nights” and a “major headache” as he anticipated the trip to Brighton.
The win over Chelsea on Boxing Day brought some relief, although the Gunners boss looked ready for more confusion midway through Brighton.
His team was toothless in attack and gave the best chances to their hosts. But whatever Arteta said at halftime worked.
Arsenal emerged from the intermission as a different team. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Gabriel Martinelli were close, before Arteta’s decision to introduce Alexandre Lacazette was quickly rewarded.
The urgency the Gunners demonstrated in the second half casts off any suggestion that Arteta lost the locker room.
4. The grim Amex form of seagulls
(Image: Getty Images)
The loss to Arsenal means Brighton ends 2020 with just one Premier League win at home in 17 matches.
That win came against the Gunners during the hot June of last summer, but the Seagulls couldn’t repeat their heroics back on a cold December night.
Brighton’s current seven-game winless streak leaves it 17th in the league, three points ahead of Fulham, who are one game short.
They are clearly in a relegation battle, and there was more bad news as Burnley beat Sheffield United to finish 16th after playing one game less.
Graham Potter will be nervously awaiting the outcome of Fulham’s clash with Tottenham on Wednesday night.
5. Gunners’ Maupay Relief
The release of the team tokens will have been greeted with some relief by Arsenal staff and fans, as Neal Maupay was only awarded one spot on the bench.
Maupay was Arsenal’s nemesis last season, scoring decisive goals in the Seagulls’ two Premier League meetings with the Gunners. The Frenchman was also involved in the incident that led to Bernd Leno’s injury and had a heated exchange with Matteo Guendouzi, prompting Mikel Arteta to exile the midfielder from his team in June.
He wasn’t the only notable absentee from Graham Potter’s XI, either, as the likes of Danny Welbeck and Leandro Trossard had to settle for a spot among the alternates as well.
It was a conservative team selection, and it showed. Brighton may have out-shot their visitors in the first half, but numerous efforts from range failed to upset Leno and his main threat came from his towering defenders during set pieces.
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