Paul Merson strongly criticizes Arsenal for their reaction after conceding the third goal against Brighton.
Arsenal legend Paul Merson wasn’t too happy about how the Gunners played after falling 3-0 behind to Brighton in the Premier League.
Mikel Arteta’s team came into the game at the Amex Stadium on Saturday with a perfect record this season. But that was in danger almost as soon as Pascal Gross found space and scored from the edge of the box in the 23rd minute. Charalampos Kostoulas made it two before halftime, and new signing Chema Andres added a third in the second half with his first goal for Brighton. That’s when Merson shared his honest thoughts.
After the third Brighton goal, Soccer Saturday host Simon Thomas handed it back to Merson, who said: “Brighton almost scored again… Kostoulas got in the box, went down, and asked for a penalty. It’s all Brighton right now. Declan Rice is getting frustrated, trying to get the ball, but no one wants it. It’s really disappointing from Arsenal. No one’s stepping up.”
Merson added, “It’s easy when things go well. But today isn’t like that. Now you need players to grab the ball and start making things happen. That’s just not happening right now.”
A little later, he went on, “I actually think Brighton would score again before Arsenal gets on the board. Declan Rice has moved to right-back, and I can barely see Arsenal playing well. They don’t even look like they’re ready to take a shot.”
He also talked about Bruno Guimaraes, who started his first Premier League game for Arsenal. “Bruno looks a million miles off. I thought he’d be taken off at halftime, but he stayed on another 10 minutes. Brighton are pressing him really hard. No matter how good you are, if you get pressured and have to work that hard, it’s tough. Brighton haven’t given anyone time to think or pass, and they’ve been brilliant.”
Merson finished by saying, “Right now, I don’t see Arsenal coming back.”
If Arsenal had won, they would’ve matched a club record by winning their first eight games of a new season for the first time since 1903, when they were in the Second Division. That year, after a slow patch in the middle of the season, they bounced back and earned promotion.
This season, Arsenal’s good run started with winning the Community Shield against Manchester City. It also includes a 4-2 Carabao Cup win over Ipswich and a 1-0 Champions League victory over Napoli earlier this month.