Arsenal 1-2 Brighton and Hove Albion

• Goals: Alexandre Lacazette (£9.3m) | Adam Webster (£4.4m), Neal Maupay (£5.8m)
• Assists: Mesut Ozil (£7.2m) | Aaron Mooy (£4.8m)
• Bonus: Maupay, Mooy x3, Lacazette x1

Managerless Arsenal delivered another underwhelming display at the Emirates on Thursday to leave them mid-table in the Premier League and on their worst winless run in over 40 years.

From a Fantasy perspective, not many of their squad appeals at present.

There are cases to be made for premium forward pair Alexandre Lacazette (£9.3m) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.9m) but, with cheaper Fantasy Premier League strikers delivering the goods at present and the Gunners in a state of limbo, questions have to be asked whether they are worth the extra outlay – at least until a new managerial appointment is made and a sense of direction is apparent.

The fixtures aren’t great either, with three of the ‘big six’ to come in the next six Gameweeks.

Lacazette did get on the scoresheet when he looped a header in on 49 minutes to register his fourth attacking return in the last six Gameweeks.

His body language and first touch was a concern, however, and he almost seemed to embody the feeling of gloom at the Emirates at present.

At least he is playing centrally – Aubameyang was once again doing a lot of his work down the right flank.

The half-time introduction of Nicolas Pepe (£9.1m) injected some life into the hosts’ performance but that change merely meant that Aubameyang changed flanks, as he switched over to the left.

There were some nearly moments for the Gabon international, it has to be said, with a couple of flashed crosses missing him in good positions by a whisker – chances that won’t be recorded in any shot count column.

His ability to fashion out FPL returns even in a struggling side is not to be underestimated and he will continue to deliver points throughout the season, but they have certainly slowed of late – it is now just three goals and one assist for the premium forward in the last eight Gameweeks.

The fact that Lacazette has been playing centrally at Aubameyang’s expense for much of that time is likely no coincidence.

The Gabonese forward bizarrely exited the field of play close to the end of the game for a toilet break, with Ljungberg saying afterwards:

I actually don’t know but he ran off and then he came back three minutes later. Maybe you should ask him about it but if you feel bad, you feel bad, there’s nothing we can change.

As for the Arsenal defence, it’s a no-go at present: Bernd Leno (£5.0m) was called on for more heroics and he has now made more saves than any other Premier League goalkeeper in 2019/20, adding seven to his tally at the Emirates on Thursday.

Reflecting on the game, Ljungberg said:

Like I said against Norwich, if you score the first goal you don’t have to chase the game, you don’t have to open up as much because you can control the game so that’s something that, in my opinion, we need to change that a little bit.

We won the balls but when they ran at us it often ends with a shot on target. We’ve had one training session but we’ll keep on working.

They look very short on confidence. In the first half, they were scared to get the ball and a bit scored to move, they were just standing still. That’s something we need to talk about. They need to have a win, we need to dig out a win and get them some confidence.

They can do it because they showed it in the beginning of the second half and they did it really well for 20 minutes. It’s hard to say that when you lose at home, but they were very good in that little spell.

Brighton were well worth their victory and have some appealing fixtures coming up, particularly after the New Year when they avoid any of the ‘big six’ and Leicester from Gameweeks 22-29.

While are they not without their flaws, the Seagulls held their own against Liverpool last weekend and were the better team at the Emirates.

They resemble a completely different side with Graham Potter at the helm, with ex-manager Chris Hughton’s rather more pragmatic approach long abandoned.

Aaron Mooy (£4.8m) was particularly excellent.

Rotation is off-putting in the wide areas, particularly with Potter having so many options to call upon, but Mooy has started seven of the last nine matches he has been available for, sitting on the bench for two games after losing his place through suspension.

The versatile Mooy, like many of his teammates, is capable of playing in multiple positions but his form down the left flank is bad news for Leandro Trossard (£5.8m), who again started this match on the bench.

Neal Maupay (£5.8m) was his usual self up front, being handed – and spurning – a succession of chances before eventually getting on the scoresheet when heading in Mooy’s cross.

Adam Webster (£4.4m), a constant threat from set plays, had earlier broken the deadlock when firing in after pouncing on a loose ball from a corner.

The Seagulls are without a clean sheet in four Gameweeks but they have played Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal in that time and easier tests await.

Mathew Ryan (£4.8m) remains one of the most attractive goalkeeping options for the medium term, with his ability to accumulate bonus points and saves, as well as clean sheets, in his favour.

The Australia international has racked up save points in nine of the last ten Gameweeks and no other shot-stopper has as many bonus points (11), either.

Potter said of his side’s display:

It felt like a good win, the players put a lot into the game. They showed great quality and great courage. 

I’m delighted. We’ve been on a tough run with games against Manchester United, Leicester and Liverpool so it’s fantastic to get three points and play like we did. We did well against Liverpool with nothing to show for it. The main stat is the scoreline and it’s nice to get a reward for the way we play.

We didn’t park the bus. We pressed high and tried to work the ball through. If you make an error they can score from a turnover and we weren’t perfect, but we showed enough character to come through and get a good result.

Members Analysis

Gameweek 15 – FPL Match Reports

• Crystal Palace 1-0 Bournemouth
• Burnley 1-4 Man City
• Chelsea 2-1 Aston Villa
• Leicester 2-0 Watford
• Man Utd 2-1 Spurs
• Southampton 2-1 Norwich
• Wolves 2-0 West Ham
• Liverpool 5-2 Everton
• Sheffield United 0-2 Newcastle
• Arsenal 1-2 Brighton