Arsene Wenger has suffered a further setback as Arsenal manager with the Gunners succumbing to a 2-1 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion in Sunday’s clash at the Amex Stadium.
Goals from Lewis Dunk and Glenn Murray gave Brighton a two-goal advantage and although Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang halved the deficit before half time, Arsenal were unable to force an equaliser after the break.
The Gunners remain eight points adrift of fifth-placed Chelsea, but Brighton have moved into the top half of the standings with their third successive victory in the top flight.
Arsenal began brightly on the South Coast with Mesut Ozil curling marginally over the crossbar from 20 yards out, but Brighton soon began to control proceedings in front of their own supporters.
Brighton’s opener came from a set piece, with an inswinging corner from the left finding Shane Duffy – who beat Petr Cech in the air – and the ball was knocked down for Dunk to fire a shot into the roof of the net on the half-volley.
Anthony Knockaert also squandered a chance after being picked out by Gross’s backheel, only for the winger to be denied from 12 yards by a block from Cech, but the veteran goalkeeper was at fault for Brighton’s second goal.
After Laurent Koscielny had lost possession, Gross crossed for Murray who was waiting at the back post and the forward found the net from 10 yards after his header went under the body of the Czech stopper.
Brighton remained in the ascendancy but with two minutes remaining until half time, Arsenal found a way back into the game when Granit Xhaka’s pass inside the penalty area picked out Aubameyang, who flicked the ball past Mathew Ryan from seven yards.
The Gunners dominated possession during the closing stages of the game but their one clear opening fell to Aubameyang, who could only send a half-volley straight at Ryan from 12 yards out.
Brighton had their own openings during seven minutes of added-on time, but Chris Hughton watched on as his side successfully held on to their slender lead to register their first points over a top-six side this season.
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