Danny Murphy baffled by something ‘so unusual’ about Arsenal’s performance at Brighton
Arsenal were well and truly put to bed by Brighton today and Danny Murphy has been left completely confused by what he saw.
Fabian Hurzeler’s men were simply too much for the Gunners, who looked miles off the pace and were made to suffer as the Seagulls ran riot.
For Mikel Arteta, there is now plenty to assess and think about over the international break.
This Arsenal team, usually so resolute and tight in defence, looked like they’d ship a goal whenever Brighton attacked.
And according to Danny Murphy, there was one aspect of Arsenal’s defending that baffled him.
Arsenal’s lack of intensity leaves Danny Murphy baffled
We’ve all become so accustomed to seeing Arsenal be so good at the back that this was confusing to watch.
It looked like Brighton were champions and Arsenal were holding on for dear life at times.
And for Danny Murphy, it was Arsenal’s lack of aggression and desire that shocked him.
“It is just so unusual to see this Arsenal side be so passive when teams get to the edge of the box,” Murphy commented for the BBC.
“Usually they are really aggressive in terms of winning the ball back, but for both goals you can see the Arsenal back line just retreat and give them the extra space they need.
“It’s been a very, very unusual performance from Arsenal because normally what they’re so good at in terms of their physicality, their tenacity and shape Brighton have not allowed them to do any of it and have really exposed them.”
This performance was one of the only examples of the Mikel Arteta era where we have genuinely seen cause for concern.
The Gunners boss will have seen so much he didn’t like here and Arsenal’s players will no doubt be given a firm dressing down afterwards.
All the players can do is move on. But this one will sting and ultimately, the team have to bounce back.