Arsenal‘s hopes of lifting their third Carabao Cup came to an end as the Gunners suffered a 3-1 defeat to fellow Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion at the Emirates.
After a nervy start, Mikel Arteta’s men went in front when Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah struck after brilliant work by Reiss Nelson, but it didn’t last long. Minutes later, Brighton’s Danny Welbeck picked himself up to level from the spot after he was taken out by a slip from debutant Karl Hein.
From then on, Arsenal seemed to take control, but they were left stunned when Kaoru Mitoma finished off a neat passing move before Tariq Lamptey beat Hein from close range to hand the Gunners their first defeat on home soil this season. With the result, Arsenal are out of the Carabao Cup.
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Positives
Nketiah showed great composure to open the scoring with his first real involvement, which should give him a big confidence boost while Nelson threatened to run the Seagulls ragged in spells.
Negatives
The Gunners failed to make their pressure pay, and they were made to suffer as they shipped two goals in 13 minutes. With just four shots on target from 23, that pretty much tells the story.
Manager rating (out of 10, 10 = best)
Mikel Arteta, 6 — Not his night. His side dominated for most of the tie but just couldn’t put the visitors to the sword, despite a flurry of changes from the Arsenal boss. Still, if the Gunners can maintain their league start then this will be quickly forgotten.
Player ratings (players introduced after 70 minutes = no rating)
GK Karl Hein, 3 — Looked like a rabbit in headlights on his debut. Gifted the visitors an equaliser when he slipped and clattered into Welbeck, which saw him go into the book, and he was hesitant again as Lamptey squeezed the ball through his legs.
DF Rob Holding, 6 — The stand-in skipper was called upon to provide a calm head, but Arsenal looked nervous early on and his first clearance was up rather than out. Headed straight into the arms of Steele late on when a goal would have piled on the pressure.
DF William Saliba, 7 — Another steady display from Saliba, who is enjoying himself this season. Stunning to think he’s only 21 given his calmness at the back. Withdrawn for the final half hour to save his reliable legs for another day.
DF Kieran Tierney, 6 — In the right place to clear as Brighton started strongly. Injected some vital energy when he stormed forward before the Scot was halted illegally by March. Produced plenty of trademark bursts in an energetic display and set up Nketiah who smacked the post.
DF Cédric Soares, 5 — Swung in some inviting crosses from the right, the best of which saw Gabriel’s header kept out by Jason Steele, but for the most part the Seagulls stood firm. Looked a bit shaky defensively though, particularly in the early stages.
