Arsenal player ratings vs Brighton – Nwaneri and Dowman dazzle in four 8/10s for Gunners

Kepa Arrizabalaga kept the scores level in the opening exchanges of the clash, facing perhaps more threat inside 20 minutes than David Raya has in his last three league matches.

Max Dowman was putting on a great show from the right, and looked to win a penalty after the break but did appear to go down too easily and early. It was his Hale End teammate Ethan Nwaneri who scored after being assisted by Myles Lewis-Skelly following a gorgeous Mikel Merino piece of skill.

Bukayo Saka would win the game, finishing off a rebounded effort from the 17-year-old debutant Andre Harriman-Annous which was cruelly saved.

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Here is how football.london rated the performances of the Arsenal players:

Kepa Arrizabaga – Brilliant one on one save inside the opening ten minutes from Georginio Rutter to prevent an early Brighton goal.

Ben White – His main asset appeared to be the distribution in the first-half which he used to spread the play and find Dowman. A solid return to the starting eleven and didn’t really put a foot wrong. 6

Cristhian Mosquera – The recovery pace the Spaniard possesses is just so impressive. Brilliant sliding challenge on Tzimas to prevent a strike on goal. Then he topped it with an even better last-ditch challenge again on Tzimas at the start of the second half. 8

Piero Hincapie – Very good recovery challenge inside the first half to prevent a Brighton counterattack. Showcased his full-back play with a great overlapping run from a free-kick to set up Merino for a chance. 8

Myles Lewis-Skelly – Won Arsenal a free-kick in a great position after beating Diego Coppola, his pace and drive proving, as usual, a real asset. It was he who would find his Hale End graduate teammate Nwaneri for the goal that broke the deadlock. 7

Christian Norgaard – Good early work breaking up play centrally, one time managing to find Max Dowman in the box after reading the game well. But as the game went on the Dane was exposed and caught out several times, adding an element of fragility to the middle – perhaps not too surprising with the lack of minutes he has played. 5

Mikel Merino – Had an early chance that flew high over the Brighton net and then a flicked back-heel shot tamely saved. Yet it would be a similar skill used in the build-up to cut open the Brighton defence leading to Nwaneri’s goal. 6

Ethan Nwaneri – Provided a great threaded pass through to Merino early for the Gunners’ first chance. Low shot to the feet of Jason Steele after good work from Eze. Brilliant strike to give the Gunners the lead following an excellent move by the Gunners. 8

Max Dowman – Was immediately delighting supporters with his close control and touches, beating Olivier Boscogli with some neat tricks. Thought he’d won a penalty at the start of the second half but went down too easily. Overall, a dazzling display and a win that will live long in the memory for those in the ground to witness his first Arsenal start. 8

Andre Harriman-Annous – A target man figure making his first appearance for the club. Tried to find Eze in the box with a cross that was cut out. Had the chance to score a one-on-one and saw it saved only for Bukayo Saka to score the rebound. 6

Eberechi Eze – Regularly booed for his Crystal Palace association by the home crowd. Had a quiet first half but grew into the game, nearly found Nwaneri in the box with a cute pass early in the second and was a strong senior presence for the youngsters around him. 7

Substitutes:

Bukayo Saka – Came on, scored, won the game, that’s Bukayo Saka. 7

Gabriel – Replacing the excellent Hincapie, the Brazilian helped the Gunners see out the win. 6

Jurrien Timber – Replacing Ben White, the Dutch international was also strong defensively, closing out the win. 6

Declan Rice – Came on in midfield moving Merino to centre-forward. Came close to finding a dream ball to Saka which was just cut out. 6

Leandro Trossard – A nightmare change for the Brighton fans who booed off Eberechi Eze and booed on the former Seagulls winger late on. He would go close to scoring, striking the post late on. 6