That’s it from me, folks. You can read the match report from the Amex right here:
And if you want more Boxing Day footy, join Ben Fisher for MBM coverage of Watford v Chelsea. Arsenal have gone above Chelsea with that point at Brighton, but Chelsea will regain the spot on goal difference if they avoid defeat.
Thanks for your emails and tweets. See you next time.
A game that fizzled out, poor on quality towards the end after a promising start. Arsenal were well on top in the first half, and should really have taken a 2-0 lead, were it not for the heroics of Mat Ryan, who speaks to the camera now.
We were a little bit open, they were creating opportunities with a little too much ease. I just tried to do my best and help the team. I feel like they were there for the taking today, they showed a few frailties. Two points dropped today, that’s how I feel.”
A poor error from Lichtsteiner helped Brighton back into the game but few would say that the Seagulls didn’t deserve at least a point.
Full-time: Brighton 1-1 Arsenal
Andone had a late flurry down the Arsenal byline but Sokratis makes a valuable tackle.
90+2 min: An awkward slice gifts Arsenal a corner. No Premier League side has conceded both goals (27) from set pieces than Brighton, going back to August 2017. The corner doesn’t beat the first man. Poor.
Updated
90 min: Propper has been excellent in central midfield for Brighton. Has done the dirty work really well, and tracks back to stop Maitland-Niles on an Arsenal counter-attack.
Three minutes added on here.
Updated
88 min: Martin McKeefry emails: “Shouldn’t the VAR chant be ‘When do we want it?’ ‘Several seconds after the after the event has occurred if the official requires it.’”
86 min: Brighton make their final change: the goalscorer Locadia is replaced by Knockaert.
You can read the Guardian’s interview with Anthony Knockaert right here.
84 min: Iwobi goes close! It would have been 2018’s luckiest goal, but Arsenal come within a few inches of regaining the lead after Montoya volleys against the Nigerian, only to see the ball rebound and spin just past the far post.
82 min: Another email, this time from Kári Tulinius:
Your observation about Lacazette and Aubameyang not touching the ball gets at something about Arsenal without Özil. He’s not necessary when Arsenal are counterattacking, but when they play a team whose first priority is to defend, he’s the only Arsenal player routinely able to open up the opposition and create those pockets of space that allow other attackers the opportunity to strike.”
This stage of the game would be a much better stage to have Ozil on the pitch. As a No 10 with Arsenal dominating possession, with a couple of midfield runners behind him like Torreira and Guenzouzi to nullify the counter-attack.
80 min: Brighton very happy to soak up the pressure and hit Arsenal on the break. After Torreira goes down just outside the Brighton box – with Anthony Taylor waving play on – Arsenal look stretched. Stephens again releases Locadia, who drives at Lichtsteiner and drags his shot three yards wide after a couple of stepovers.
78 min: Stephens sends March clean through on goal! It’s another simple pass over the top, March takes a touch, steadies himself before lobbing Leno, but overcooks his shot! High and wide! What a chance for Brighton.
Andone comes on for Murray, who has been booked.
Updated
76 min: A lucky escape for Bernardo, who has had a good game at left-back for Brighton, but gave the ball away to Ramsey on the edge of Brighton’s box. Ramsey fed Aubameyang, who took a heavy touch and was tackled by Duffy just has he was going to shoot.
75 min: Both teams lacking fluency here, Arsenal are probably just shading it since they changed their shape. No other Premier League side has scored more in the second half than the Gunners.
Updated
74 min: “Rooting for the Gunners here in Washington, DC,” emails Andy Hoh. “Want to name my first-born Pierre-Emerick. Thank you for your coverage! Happy Boxing Day.”
72 min: Arsenal make their final change: Maitland-Niles coming on for Koscielny. Looks like AMN will play at right-back, with Lichtsteiner slotting in at centre-back. Gulp.
70 min: Who did it better? Zaniolo or Ozil (against Ludogorets)
| GOAL! |
— Eleven Sports (@ElevenSports_UK) December 26, 2018
Take a bow, Nicolo Zaniolo 👏
Chop back, dummy to sit defender and goalkeeper down, dinked finish over the pair of them... 😅
Roma lead 3-0! pic.twitter.com/O06rYQAx0t
68 min: Forgot to tell you about a yellow card for Sokratis about 10 minutes ago. He came right through the back of Murray. No complaints.
66 min: Arsenal are really struggling with long balls from the back, as well as the big diagonal switching the play. Can’t really tell which way this game is going to go.
64 min: Corner to Arsenal, who are kicking towards their own fans this half. Xhaka cross but it’s well out by Propper.
62 min: Arsenal have been poor this half and make their second change: Ramsey coming on (on his 28th birthday) for Lacazette, who throws his gloves into the dugout in distain.
Updated
59 min: Davy Propper, who I’ve always sounds a bit Dickensian, with a golden chance for Brighton! Another switch of play is brought out the air by Locadia. The Dutchman feeds his teammate and compatriot Propper who comes onto the ball at pace, sees his cross blocked but gets a second bite and shoots wide from eight yards! He rather snapped at that, but had to take it early with Torreira lurking.
58 min: Yellow card for Murray, who clattered clumsily into Guendouzi from behind.
@michaelbutler18 Re: Lichtsteiner vs anyone else. Not a Gunners fan, but I reckon that he's added some much-needed character and a knowledge of the "Dark Arts." Perhaps his addition in that regard is worth more than his actual footballing ability? Seems silly, but maybe...
— Adam Kline-Schoder (@AHKlineSchoder) December 26, 2018
56 min: Can’t remember Lacazette or Aubameyang touching the ball this second half.
Updated
55 min: A nervy moment for Sokratis, who dallies with the ball in his box, but Iwobi does well to clean up the loose ball.
54 min: I wonder how much Lichtsteiner is being paid. You’d assume not very much at the age of 34 but then he did sign on a free transfer, which can often inflate the salary.
52 min: Another switch of play by Locadia to March, who delivers to Propper. The Dutchman climbs above Lichtsteiner but plants his header wide.
50 min: Thoughts?
I mean, Jenkinson is a figure of farce, obviously, but I’d still truly rather have him in there than Lichtsteiner. #BRIARS #Arsenal #AFC
— Matt Scott (@Matt5cott) December 26, 2018
48 min: All jokes aside, that was nearly a goal for Brighton. They broke again at pace with Bernardo leading the charge. He sprinted up to the half-way line and switched the play nicely, before Solly March had a fierce shot turned around the post by Leno. From the corner, Leno collects but takes a knock to the head with Murray for his troubles.
47 min: Corner to Arsenal, which almost certainly means a goal for Brighton.
Updated
Peeeeeep! We’re underway again on the south coast.
Ozil is being replaced! No injury to my knowledge, Iwobi will come on instead.
Interesting change by Emery, who has got it right with his tactical changes more often than not this season. Nine of Arsenal’s 41 goals this season have been scored by substitutes, the most in any of England’s top four professional divisions.
“NBC halftime analysis shows Lacazette offside in the buildup to the Arsenal goal,” emails Joe Pearson. “Should not have counted. What do we want? VAR! When do we want it? NOW!”
Half-time viewing:
Half-time: Brighton 1-1 Arsenal
One brilliant goal from Aubameyang, one fantastic save from Ryan, one terrible error from Lichtsteiner.
45 min: Montoya is booked for a tackle on Guendouzi. He’s not happy about it, but it’s a definitely yellow. “Same old Arsenal, always cheating” sing the Brighton fans.
One minute added on here for injury time here. Arsenal win a corner, but Anthony Taylor whistles for half time. There’s no time to take it.
43 min: Don’t think I’ve mentioned Ozil once. So here you are. He’s done nothing.
41 min: Torreira wins a cheap free kick on the right wing but two excellent deliveries are headed away diligently by Duffy.
39 min: Isn’t N7 (for Hammerton) the postcode of the Emirates?
If you think anything other than Camden Hells can be the official beer of a North London team, you're deluded.
— max bertfield (@maxlbertfield) December 26, 2018
37 min: Brighton appeal for a penalty after Locadia goes down in the box. Lichtsteiner looks a little sheepish, and replays show that Montoya’s cross did indeed strike the Swiss’ arm.
1-1! Kolasinac’s corner runs all the way through the box, Propper collecting the loose ball before hoofing it clear. Lichtsteiner was under the ball but got his angles all wrong and actually flicked the ball through perfectly to Locadia, who rounded Leno and rolled the ball into an empty net. All square!
Updated
GOAL! Brighton 1-1 Arsenal (Locadia 35)
Brighton equalise from an Arsenal corner!
33 min: Here’s an email from Loren Dunlop.
The decision to not ever play AMN [Maitland-Niles] at CM is rather confusing. And surely when we go for a back five, which happens often these days, it would be better to put Elneny as CB rather than Xhaka? When Xhaka is not in the midfield we miss him pretty badly.
31 min: Golden chance for Aubameyang, saved by Ryan! This is simple, brilliant football and a lot easier a chance than the one scored by Aubameyang, who broke the offside trap, latched onto a lofted pass from Torreira, took the ball down on his chest nicely and fired a low shot to Ryan’s right. The Australian got down so well to palm it away.
29 min: Nice play from March, who feeds Murray, but it’s a weak shot straight at Leno.
That’s just Brighton’s 54th shot on target this season, the second worst total in the division.
27 min: We have a game on our hands.
25 min: A scramble on Arsenal’s goal-line! Murray’s initial shot is half-blocked by Koscielny and while Leno is first to the ball, a combination of Gross and Murray poke the ball out of his hands and bundle the ball over the line. Initially, with Leno scrambling to get back, it looks like no foul has been given, but just as Murray is about to hack the ball into an empty net, Anthony Taylor blows his whistle. It’s probably the right decision, and I’m not 100% sure that the ball crossed the line anyway.
Updated
24 min: Brighton with their first meaningful move of the match, culminating in Montoya squaring the ball for Gross, who turned neatly onto his stronger right foot and let fly. A good block from Koscielny saw the ball deflected behind for a corner.
22 min: March can’t get in the game. He’s seen as a fringe player at Brighton by many, but has five assists this season, more than any other player. Likes to get his crosses in early, but not being afforded any time by Kolasinac.
20 min: You know how I said Brighton were growing into the game? Well you can scrap that. They’ve had 30% possession and just kicked the ball out for a throw in after a breakdown in communication between Gross and March.
18 min: Thoroughly enjoyed Jacob Steinberg’s interview on Brighton’s left-back, from a few months ago. Well worth your time.
16 min: Kolasinac there with an absolutely textbook shoulder-barge to see March off the ball. Lovely to see.
14 min: Brighton are growing slowly into this game. A corner that doesn’t beat the first man. A long-range shot at Leno. It’s something, at least.
12 min: Of course.
Hammerton Brewery. Lee H's N7 Ale should be the official Arsenal beer.
— Barry Edwards (@Barry_Edwards) December 26, 2018
10 min: Hughton will be tearing his hair out. Particularly at Balogun – a childhood Arsenal fan – who is only in the Brighton side because of a suspension to Dunk.
1-0! Balogun was robbed on the edge of his own area by Lacazette. The French striker twisted and turned to get his shot off but couldn’t and instead toe-poked it into the path of Aubameyang, who simply strokes a first time finish into the top corner – it was difficult as it came at him quickly. An R2 finish for people that play PlayStation. Reminiscent of a Henry finish, for people that don’t. The Premier League’s top scorer adds another to the tally, 13 in the Premier League this season now. He is some player.
Updated
GOAL! Brighton 0-1 Arsenal (Aubameyang 7)
This is a mixture of absolutely shocking defending and a brilliant, instinctive finish. Wow.
4 min: Arsenal so nearly take the lead! Guenzoui floats a wonderful ball over the top, Aubameyang is onto it in a flash. Ryan initially came racing out to meet Aubameyang, but quickly backpedalled when the Gabonese striker lifted a lob over the Brighton keeper. It was a brilliant effort with Aubameyang going away from goal, but Ryan just got back and tipped it out for a corner.
3 min: This is my first opportunity to have a proper look at Koscielny since his full return from injury. Be interesting to see how he gets on against a physical striker like Murray.
2 min: Lacazette, who is playing as a central striker today, tries his luck from range, but Ryan collects easily.
1 min: Twenty seconds on the clock, and Aubameyang nutmegs Montoya out on this left wing with a beautiful bit of skill. Delicious.
Peeeeeeep! And we’re off.
The teams are out. Brighton in their classic blue and white, Arsenal in their changed navy strip with a mauve trim, and red socks.
Updated
Emery talks!
I absolutely love the way that Emery says “Good morning/afternoon/evening” before every press conference/interview. Gent.
Good afternoon. It is the first time for me playing on Boxing Day, and an opportunity to finish the half-season on 40 points. Today will be a tough match. Our first target to is to finish in the top four. We are with Chelsea now [on 37 points]. Away from home, we can take more confidence. Here Brighton feel very strong at home.
Brighton have won two-thirds of their 21 points at home.
Regarding those suspensions … some thoughts, via email from Samuel Lawrence.
“Not to forget Guendouzi will also be suspended if he picks up a yellow. Arsenal could end up playing a combination of Xhaka, Elneny and Maitland-Niles against Liverpool. A worrying prospect to say the least. And lets remember Xhaka could well end up getting sent off, although he hasn’t been a liability thus far along side Torreira. Eek ...”
Updated
Liverpool are six (SIX!) points clear at the top of the Premier League!
Hughton talks!
💬 "You’ve got to try and stifle the way they play because they have such good individuals.
— Brighton & Hove Albion ⚽️ (@OfficialBHAFC) December 26, 2018
"But you have to play well yourself, and be able to use the qualities that you’ve got. It will have to be a very good all-round team performance.”#BHAFC 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/pBIQRQ6NC5
It’s all hotting up as the 3pm kick offs come to a close. Manchester City are losing and down to 10 men, Liverpool and Manchester United are winning. Join Ben Fisher for the latest.
Brighton swap centre backs owing to suspensions. Duffy has completed his ban and he comes in for Dunk, who saw red against Bournemouth last time out. Dunk will partner Balogun in defence.
Glenn Murray and Dale Stephens also come back into the side, after being left out at Bournemouth.
Updated
Interesting to see that Emery does indeed plump for Torreira in the middle of Arsenal’s midfield. If the combative Uruguayan picks up a yellow card today, his fifth of the season, Torreira will be suspended for Saturday’s trip to Liverpool.
Not sure exactly what the most local Arsenal ale would be? Maybe Beavertown? Although that is technically based in Tottenham. Who knows. Anyway, here are the teams.
Looks like Brighton are playing a 4-5-1, while Arsenal are in a maverick 3-4-1-2.
Brighton: Ryan, Montoya, Duffy, Balogun, Bernardo, March, Stephens, Propper, Locadia, Gross, Murray.
Subs: Saltor, Bong, Kayal, Bissouma, Andone, Knockaert, Button.
Arsenal: Leno, Lichtsteiner, Papastathopoulos, Koscielny, Kolasinac, Torreira, Xhaka, Guendouzi, Ozil, Lacazette, Aubameyang.
Subs: Cech, Elneny, Ramsey, Maitland-Niles, Iwobi, Nketiah, Willock.
Referee: Anthony Taylor (Cheshire)
Updated
Preamble
The Amex has a lovely tradition for every home game: the stadium’s bars put on the local beer on tap for all home and away fans. It means Brighton’s fans get to try something new every other week, and the away fans have a home comforts on their (normally) lengthy trip to the south coast.
Not every fan drinks of course, but on Boxing Day it’s nice to have a soft landing after Christmas. This is just one of the reasons that going to Brighton is a top away day: the sea, The Lanes, and the club was also the first to see sense with sanitary products.
Arsenal never seem to have the most comfortable time here though. They lost 2-1 in March, one of the results that finally broke the Wenger truthers, and the time before that – back in 1982 in the old First Division – they also went down 1-0, with Gerry Ryan getting the goal.
After a poor defeat to Southampton before Christmas, Arsenal are back on track after a win over Burnley and are well in the mix for a Champions League place. Lying in fifth before kick-off today, a draw or win will take them above Chelsea, who play later tonight at Watford.
Join me for the big one.
Kick-off: 5.15pm GMT
