It was the body language that damned Arsenal most of all. The hunching of the shoulders and shuffled attempts to retreat into position, internationals of considerable repute with their heads down, trudging around the pitch as if wading through treacle. Arsène Wenger described them as “passive”. About as animated as they became during a dreadful opening half-hour was when Mesut Özil flung his gloves to the turf in frustration, even if that was all for show. The same could be said for the anguished glances to the heavens at each misplaced pass or the yellow cards collected as if to be used as evidence of commitment.
The hope had been that this team would be stung into a response after the high-profile defeats by Manchester City last week. In previous years they have somehow summoned a performance in the wake of choking disappointment to paper over the cracks. This time they were limp and dysfunctional, a team the home side sensed were there for the taking throughout that opening period, a collective bereft of spirit, organisation or belief – qualities Brighton & Hove Albion displayed in abundance.
Quailing defenders backed off José Izquierdo and both full-backs were racked by uncertainty. Petr Cech was off the pace and, as he admitted afterwards, culpable at each of the goals conceded. Midfielders in possession found options non-existent, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang lost among blue and white shirts and appearing to lack the drive to find space. Set pieces, Brighton’s weakness for much of this campaign, suddenly became an invitation to provoke panic. Glenn Murray, Shane Duffy and Lewis Dunk bullied their markers. Forget natural ability for a moment: Arsenal would have been far more imposing with that trio in their ranks. They were the leaders the visitors lacked.
Wenger claimed a lack of confidence had created a false impression. “The disappointments, plus the fact we have been making defensive mistakes, means it looks like we lack leaders,” he said. “But I don’t believe that. We have to remain positive in a negative environment and show we have character and leaders.” But this had been the occasion to do just that and his players, with the possible exception of the typically spiky Jack Wilshere, had withered.
The more optimistic members of the coaching staff could point to a rally of sorts after the interval, and periods of pressure imposed on a side who have spent the entire season glancing over their shoulders at the relegation scrap. But no one present could be hoodwinked into thinking Arsenal deserved anything other than a sixth defeat in eight games, a fourth in succession, an eighth of the calendar year. The supporters had waited until their team were trailing by two before bellowing “We want Wenger out” and, in truth, that was a truer reflection of disgust than any message on a banner fluttering behind a distant aeroplane.
It is disheartening that it has come to this but it is now Arsenal’s reality. Wenger’s legacy will be tainted by such pathetic displays but is this team capable of recovering? The beleaguered manager is now prioritising the Europa League, as his selection demonstrated. The last time Arsenal lost five in a row was in 1977 and they visit a resurgent Milan on Thursday. Such is the dismal mood it is hard to envisage anything other than more pain being inflicted at San Siro.
