Abject Arsenal wilt again to deepen the dent in Arsène Wenger’s legacy

It was the body language that damned Arsenal most of all. The hunching of the shoulders and shuffled attempts to retreat into position, internationals of considerable repute with their heads down, trudging around the pitch as if wading through treacle. Arsène Wenger described them as “passive”. About as animated as they became during a dreadful opening half-hour was when Mesut Özil flung his gloves to the turf in frustration, even if that was all for show. The same could be said for the anguished glances to the heavens at each misplaced pass or the yellow cards collected as if to be used as evidence of commitment.

The hope had been that this team would be stung into a response after the high-profile defeats by Manchester City last week. In previous years they have somehow summoned a performance in the wake of choking disappointment to paper over the cracks. This time they were limp and dysfunctional, a team the home side sensed were there for the taking throughout that opening period, a collective bereft of spirit, organisation or belief – qualities Brighton & Hove Albion displayed in abundance.

Quailing defenders backed off José Izquierdo and both full-backs were racked by uncertainty. Petr Cech was off the pace and, as he admitted afterwards, culpable at each of the goals conceded. Midfielders in possession found options non-existent, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang lost among blue and white shirts and appearing to lack the drive to find space. Set pieces, Brighton’s weakness for much of this campaign, suddenly became an invitation to provoke panic. Glenn Murray, Shane Duffy and Lewis Dunk bullied their markers. Forget natural ability for a moment: Arsenal would have been far more imposing with that trio in their ranks. They were the leaders the visitors lacked.

Source: theguardian