Football
Arsenal 1-2 Brighton: Maupay downs sorry Gunners
Neal Maupay scored late on as Brighton and Hove Albion claimed their first away victory over Arsenal, who have not won in nine matches.
Arsenal’s dismal run of form rolled on as Neal Maupay’s superb header earned Brighton and Hove Albion a 2-1 victory at Emirates Stadium.
Alexandre Lacazette’s 50th-minute equaliser on his 100th appearance for the club looked set to pave the way for Arsenal to claim their first win under caretaker boss Freddie Ljungberg.
Yet Brighton, who had deservedly taken the lead through Adam Webster in the first half, managed to wrest back control after David Luiz had a goal ruled out by VAR.
And it was Maupay who had the final say, as he brilliantly turned home Aaron Mooy’s cross in the 80th minute to end Brighton’s three-match losing streak and condemn Arsenal to their longest winless streak since 1977.
Having started brightly, Arsenal swiftly grew frustrated as Brighton began to click into gear, with Maupay and Davy Propper testing Bernd Leno in quick succession.
READ ALSO: Everton Sack Marco Silva As Manager After 18 Months In Charge
Brighton deservedly had the lead nine minutes before half-time, Webster thumping home after Arsenal failed to clear their lines from a corner.
Joe Willock looked set to pull Arsenal level four minutes later, but Mat Ryan pulled off a superb stop from the youngster’s header.
But Arsenal were level five minutes into the second half as Lacazette’s looping header from Mesut Ozil’s cross looped into the top-left corner.
Hector Bellerin was inches away from teeing up Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang soon after, though Leno had to be alert to deny Maupay at the other end.
David Luiz thought he had put Arsenal ahead just after the hour, only for VAR to correctly disallow the goal for offside.
Brighton made their good fortune count – Maupay sending a brilliant glancing header across Leno as the Seagulls clinched their maiden away win over Arsenal.
Maupay makes history for Brighton
Graham Potter’s side were unfortunate not to claim something from their trip to Anfield on Saturday, but this time they took their chances, with Maupay’s clinical finish ensuring a famous victory.
