Kepa Arrizabalaga – 8 PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Probably busier than he was expecting to be, as he made a number of key saves in the first half to keep us in the game. Also claimed his crosses and commanded his box well and it generally seemed to be a calming influence behind what was a relatively inexperienced defence.
Best moment:
Quite a few to chose from, but the one that takes it for me is the one-on-one save from Rutter, as I was certain that the Brighton man was going to open the scoring.
Ben White – 7
A nice return for Ben White as helped the team to a clean sheet and linked up well with Max Dowman. The defence had a few shaky moments early on although most of Brighton’s chances seem to come down the left hand side or through the middle, so can’t make him down for that. Was full of running going forward as well as he overlapped Dowman on a number of occasions and put some decent balls into the box. Some nice switches as well. Subbed around 70 minutes for Jurrien Timber.
Best moment:
Had a lovely run from right back into the midfield, including a cheeky nutmeg, that Arsenal should have done much better with.
Cristhian Mosquera – 6
By no means a bad performance from the Spaniard, as he made several important blocks and used his recovery speed to good affect when Brighton got in behind. One really poor pass invited pressure and that was the part of his game that felt a little off tonight. He just didn’t look as comfortable on the ball as usual and it felt like he had a mistake in him at times. Improved when Gabriel game on and helped see out the game without incident from there.
Best moment:
Really good block to recover after he gave the ball away.
Piero Hancapie – 7
A solid first start for Hincapie, who was physical in the tackle and comfortable on the ball. Showing his attacking instincts at the other end as well as he cut the ball back cleverly to create a chance for Mikel Merino in the first half. Was run a bit ragged by the Brighton attack early on and I felt he made the wrong choice on a couple of occasions as Brighton poured forward and created a couple of overloads. Was left exposed to be fair, with the midfield nowhere to be seen, so hard to be too harsh on the Ecuadorian. Subbed on 70 minutes for Gabriel.
Best moment:
Some nice moments throughout the contest, but the burst of pace to nick the ball off a Brighton attacker was a real highlight. I heard he was quick, but wow!
Myles Lewis-Skelly- 6
Another who started a bit slow. Tried to stand his ground a few times against Rutter in his usual combative style, only to be brushed aside. Was caught up field for a couple of Brighton’s early chances as well. Improved as the game wore on and was good on the ball throughout the game. Lovely run and first time assist to lay on the opener for his good mate, Ethan Nwaneri to score.
Best moment:
Has to be the first time assist as he showed great awareness to pick out Nwaneri, as well as delivering an inch perfect pass to make the first time finish possible.
Christian Norgaard – 5
I’ve been rooting for this guy since his seeing his intro video, but he’s yet to really get started in an Arsenal shirt and his slow start unfortunately continued against Brighton. One sloppy moment led to a brilliant Brighton chance and he offered little cover to the defence in the early exchanges as we were lucky to keep our clean intact. I’ll put it down to rustiness, as he’s had very little game time in the early part of the season due to his injury and the form of Martin Zubimendi. More to come from Norgaard.
Best moment:
Nothing really stands out although he had a few nice touches in the final third.
Mikel Merino – 6
Busy and industrious as always without really stamping his authority on the game. Covered every blade of grass, but in a completely different way to Declan Rice, as he slaloms around the pitch, evading danger with deft touches and clever movement. Always a threat from set pieces and nearly added to his goal tally in the second half with a golden headed chance from Bukayo Saka’s corner, which Luke Steele did well to save.
Best moment:
Moment of genius as his ‘pre-assist’ backheel found Lewis-Skelly perfectly in the build up to Nwaneri’s goal.
Ethan Nwaneri – 7
In such a makeshift team, we really looked to Nwaneri to create something and I found myself disappointed on a number of occasions when he didn’t quite manage to find the killer ball or was tackled. I have to remind myself that he’s still just 18 years old and the fact that we expect so much from him already is due to his undoubted talent. Not his best game, but you always felt he would create something in the final third with either his shooting or incisive passing/dribbling. It was the shooting that made the difference on the night as he found the bottom corner expertly to give Arsenal the lead and tip the tie in our favour.
Best moment:
The winning goal, without a shadow of a doubt. Made it look easy, as top players usually do!
Max Dowman – 7
Not got enough room to write them all so I’ll just say that he broke another raft of records tonight, including being the youngest ever player to start for Arsenal, beating current academy keeper Jack Porter, I think. At just 15 years of age, I keep expecting him to come up against a seasoned defender, like Max De Cuyper, and be marked out of the game, but it just never happens! Beat one, two players for fun on numerous occasions as he drove forward with purpose. Dowman’s touch and decision making are absolutely second to none and he was soon doubled up on by the Brighton defence, as they sought to reduce his influence, yet to no avail. A few moments where he threatened to do something really special, only to be closed down at the last second. Subbed for Saka around 70 minutes.
Best moment:
Brilliant direct run into the box prior to going to ground. Like all Arsenal fans, I absolutely love watching this kid play, but I don’t like that and I really wish Arteta or one of the coaching staff would have a word with him about it.
Andre Harriman-Annous – 7
A surprise inclusion from the start lead many Arsenal fans to Google to find out more about the latest Hale End prodigy. Brilliant night for the youngster as he did himself, his family and our academy proud with his performance. Full of running (and I mean full!!) as he chased down Steele time after time and never shied away from the challenge of trying to occupy three Premier League defenders in his first ever professional appearance. Not massively involved in the build up play in the first half, although he did have a few nice touches here. Seemed understandably nervous at times, but came to live in the second as he firing one dangerous ball across the box following a good run into the channel only to create the final goal with an excellent run, only to see his goal bound effort parried into Bukayo Saka’s path, who finished well. Would have been a lovely moment for the young man, but his contribution was there for all to see as he helped Arsenal book their place in the next round.
Best moment:
Tempted to say the moment where he seemed to be mouthing along with ‘North London Forever’ prior to kick off, but I’ll go with the run and shot which lead to Saka’s goal.
Eberechi Eze – 7
Started out on the left for this one and always involved. Some really nice moments where it looked like he would open up the Brighton defence with a deft touch or dribble, yet it didn’t quite come off for him on the night. Worked really hard for the team and lead the younger players well as he always showed for the ball and tried to take the pressure off the team when he could.
Best moment:
Lovely ball into Nwaneri that was a fraction too hard.
Subs:
Gabriel – 7 – Came on for Hincapie and we immediately looked more secure at the back and infinitely more dangerous from corners. Created havoc on two or three occasions and dealt well with the Brighton attack at the other end.
Bukayo Saka – 7 – Dowman was the perfect warm up act as Saka came on and finished the job. Followed in on Harriman-Annous’ attempt to seal the game for Arsenal. Class act from the second he came on the pitch.
Jurrien Timber – 7 – Showed what a bit of freshness can do, as he replaced Ben White and stormed forward almost instantly, leaving three or four tiring Brighton players in his wake before playing a perfect ball through to Harriman-Annous in the build-up to the second goal. Impressive cameo from the Dutchman.
Leandro Trossard – 6 Barely touch the ball until he struck the post in stoppage time against his former team.
Declan Rice – 6 – Not hugely involved as he was brought on to shore up the midfield. Shut down space well, as always.