Arsenal player ratings vs Brighton: Striker miserable as defender scores 3/10 after 'embarrassing' moment

Arsenal collapsed to a 3-0 defeat against Brighton at the Amex Stadium after a dismal showing.

Mikel Arteta’s side had no answer to the pressing and intensity Brighton brought, looking rattled from the very first minute and never recovering.

Pascal Gross and Charalampos Kostoulas both took advantage of some passive defending to score from distance, before Chema Andres added a third after the break from a corner.

Matt Verri was at the Amex Stadium to rate the Arsenal players...

David Raya 4

Shaky start with his distribution as Arsenal struggled to settle, adding to the early pressure. Will also be disappointed to be beaten twice from range and was really unconvincing from corners too. Good stop to deny O’Riley late on.

Jurrien Timber 3

First start since mid-March and unsurprisingly looked rusty, passing the ball straight out early on. Attack down the right side was not as dangerous with White absent. Awful attempt at marking Andres for Brighton’s third.

Ezri Konsa 4

As shaky as anyone on the ball in the opening exchanges, looking panicked in his own box. Also far too happy to back off when Brighton ran at him. As poor as he’s looked in an Arsenal shirt so far.

Gabriel 3

Shock to see him so passive in allowing Brighton to shoot from range for the first two goals. Terrible defending to not engage. Docked an extra point for an embarrassing dive, flopping onto the ball under no contact.

Passive: Gabriel

PA

Riccardo Calafiori 4

Just as much to blame for not closing down Gross for his goal. Lethargic in getting back when Brighton broke and left so much space. Tried to get involved in attack and drilled a great cross into the six-yard box late on.

Declan Rice 6

Fought a lone battle in midfield - the only one add offering some bite and intensity. One burst straight through the blue shirts nearly opened up the defence. Given no support by those around him.

Bruno Guimaraes 3

Miles off it, not coping with the pace Brighton brought to the match at all. Sloppy in possession and so sluggish in getting back when Brighton broke. Should have been hooked at half-time.

Bukayo Saka 5

Better than most. At least tried to be direct running at Boscagli and enjoyed some success. Played a good ball in behind for Tzolis and caused problems with his darts in behind. End product was lacking.

Martin Odegaard 3

Punished for not making more of his chance when Brighton then broke immediately to make it 2-0. Far too keen to cut back onto his left foot. Disappeared when Arsenal needed someone to provide some calm.

Christos Tzolis 3

Continues to really struggle away from home. Poor heavy touch when he could have been in from Saka’s pass. Became increasingly isolated and effectively a passenger in the second half. Big questions.

Kai Havertz 2

Miserable afternoon. Could not make the ball stick in attack. Dropped deep to try and help out but made a complete mess of it to concede a corner which led to third Brighton goal. Clean through to make it 3-1 and shot straight at the goalkeeper.

Substitutes:

Martin Zubimendi (Timber 59’) 4

Rotated with Rice between midfield and right-back. Didn’t ever look like he got up to the pace of the game.

Mikel Merino (Guimaraes 59’) 4

Brought on with the match effectively done and did nothing to change that. He got overran just like most of his team-mates.

Viktor Gyokeres (Odegaard 72’) 6

Improvement on his recent displays. Ran the channels and played a really good pass in behind for Havertz.

Eberechi Eze (Tzolis 72’) 4

Former Crystal Palace man was booed when he came on and that was the last time he was noticed.