The Media Review: Arsenal beaten in Carabao Cup

Albion followed up Saturday’s victory at Molineux with progress in the Carabao Cup with an impressive 3-1 win at what is becoming another of our favourite away grounds. And, being in London, the Emirates was easily accessible for coverage by all the national daily papers.

Andy Dillon summed up the events of the game in The Sun, focusing on Arsenal’s debutant goalkeeper, Karl Hein. He wrote: “Hein was lucky to stay on the pitch after his unlucky slip as he raced off his line to meet Danny Welbeck’s run towards his goal. Hein stumbled and in his recovery tugged the Brighton striker to the floor.

“Welbeck turned in the penalty to equalise and from then on it was all revitalised Brighton as they rocked Arsenal with two second half goals to secure a thrilling win.

“Hein was squarely beaten as Albion sub and Japan winger Kaoru Mitoma bent a shot beyond him on 58 minutes to claim his second goal in as many matches.

“And full back Tariq Lamptey sealed a memorable night for The Seagulls with number three 19 minutes from time - his first goal for more than two years.

Sam Dean of The Daily Telegraph noticed our good recent record at Arsenal’s handsome home.

“Brighton were the last away team to win at the Emirates Stadium, doing so last season, and on Wednesday night they became the first away team to win here in this campaign,” he wrote. “A bogey team for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal? It certainly felt that way on Wednesday night, as Roberto De Zerbi’s players continued their impressive form with another inventive performance against a bigger side.

“Arsenal had played a total of 12 home matches since their loss at home to Brighton in April. They had won them all. And then Brighton rolled into north London again, with a new manager but the same expansive approach.

“Just as they were in their recent thrashing of Chelsea, De Zerbi’s side were superb here. The league leaders were much-changed for this League Cup tie, admittedly, but so were Brighton. If this was a battle of the B teams, it was a battle emphatically won by the boys in blue and white.

“Brighton carried plenty of threat, especially following the introduction of Japan international Mitoma. The winger has been in thrilling form in recent weeks and his finish here, curled into the same corner that Nketiah found in the first half, was a measure of his confidence.

“Arsenal, with a game to chase, were now leaving huge spaces in their midfield. Brighton sensed the opportunity to counter and Lamptey’s searing pace did the damage for their third goal. Billy Gilmour produced some fine work in the middle of the pitch, setting up the onrushing Lamptey, who surged through.

“Sprinting at full pace into the penalty area, there was no stopping the Brighton full-back. Not without conceding another penalty, anyway. His low finish was more accurate than powerful, but it had enough on it to sneak past Hein in the Arsenal goal, and confirm another victory in north London for Brighton.”

Nick Ames of The Guardian saw “an alert, bold Brighton team who responded superbly to going behind and have a bright future if a young side’s performance is any measure.” He added that “Roberto De Zerbi had made eight changes from the rollercoaster victory over Wolves and, as so often on these occasions, it appeared the winner would be whoever could muster the best semblance of cohesion. Nketiah’s goal made that proposition look flawed, because Brighton had carried the early threat.

“In a role reversal of the first half, De Zerbi’s side promptly scored with their first attack since changing ends. The clinical right-foot finish by Mitoma was similar to Nketiah’s, too, with a strong run and pass from the impressive Jeremy Sarmiento creating the chance after a smart counter.

“Arteta promptly looked to the bench and called upon Gabriel Martinelli. Before the Brazilian could have any impact, Lamptey settled things. It was another slick goal, taking a Billy Gilmour pass in his stride before sprinting clear down the left and slotting past Hein. More Arsenal cavalry duly arrived but Brighton’s progress was merited.”

Jacob Leeks noticed the De Zerbi effect on The Mirror website, writing that the Albion head coach “has impressed since replacing Graham Potter as Brighton manager, winning his last two Premier League games. And he extended his winning run in charge of the Seagulls with this comeback victory over Arsenal.

“Though it was a much-changed Gunners line-up, the Italian will be delighted with how his side performed, particularly in the second-half. A large amount of the credit for the win can be placed at De Zerbi's door, with the Brighton boss making two changes at half-time to swing the tie in his side's favour.

“In a marked change from Potter's time in charge of Brighton, the Italian has also helped his side find their scoring boots. This is the fourth game since he took charge in which the Seagulls have scored at least three goals, with the South Coast side proving to be great entertainers under De Zerbi's management.”

Ditto Daniel Matthews in The Daily Mail: “It took the Italian six matches to secure a first win,” he wrote. “He now has three in three and this was another mightily encouraging display. Both sides made changes but it was Brighton who were the more slick, fluid side.

“They fell behind to Eddie Nketiah’s 11th goal in 12 Carabao Cup appearances but battled back brilliantly. They had started the quicker, with Jeremy Sarmiento and Julio Enciso particularly bright. The two youngsters, both of South American heritage, combined early on to create a chance for Welbeck, who was denied only by Kieran Tierney’s desperate block. 

“Moments later, Enciso squandered a free header from inside the six-yard box. Brighton continued to show adventure and invention, while Arsenal were hesitant and lacking fluency.

“They improved after the break and created a flurry of early chances. Nketiah hit the post and Nelson had a header brilliantly saved by Jason Steele.

“But then, out of nothing, Brighton took the lead. Mitoma, sent on at the break, finished a slick counter-attack, curling home from an almost identical position as Nketiah. Before victory was secured by Lamptey who, with 19 minutes to go, slid the ball past Hein from a tight angle.”

Gary Jacob of The Times wrote that “Brighton took the game to the hosts, arriving on the back of wins over Chelsea and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Karl Hein made his debut in goal and was maybe fortunate to get only a booking when he came out of goal and slipped before he brought down Welbeck to concede a penalty in the first half. He was busy at the start as Brighton carried the greater goal threat without making the most of their chances. Welbeck had a shot deflected over the bar and Enciso wasted a free header and then fired over. When Jeremy Sarmiento cut inside and shot narrowly over, Brighton were on top.

“March was replaced by Kaoru Mitoma, who put Brighton into the lead at a time when Arsenal were dominating. Nketiah had hit the base of the post and Nelson had a header saved before Mitoma scored his second goal in as many games, curling his shot into the corner after being released by Sarmiento in a move that also involved Enciso.

“Arsenal then conceded a third on the counterattack. Lamptey sped clear to clip the ball under Hein and extend the visitors’ advantage with 20 minutes left.”

Interestingly, he also noticed a complete turnaround in the stats from some Albion performances of the past: “Brighton scored three times from four shots on target to come from 1-0 down. Mikel Arteta threw on Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko but Arsenal wasted opportunities to reduce the deficit and hit the target with only four of their 22 efforts.”

Long may that clinical Albion edge in front of goal continue!