MX23RW : Tuesday, March 19 08:21:16| >> :120:22585:22585:
[monks data]
Attendance: 60,164
Arsenal logo
Premier League | Gameweek 15
Dec 5, 2019 at 8.15pm UK
 
Brighton logo

1-2

Lacazette (50')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Webster (36'), Maupay (80')

Lewis Dunk: 'Arsenal fans helped Brighton to Emirates win'

Lewis Dunk: 'Arsenal fans helped Brighton to Emirates win'
© Reuters
Brighton celebrated their first-ever away win against Arsenal to end a run of three successive Premier League defeats.

Lewis Dunk revealed turning Arsenal supporters against their team was part of the plan which saw Brighton pile further misery on the Gunners on Thursday night.

Neal Maupay's late header secured a 2-1 victory at the Emirates Stadium and ruined Freddie Ljungberg's first home game as interim head coach.

It also extended a winless run for the hosts to nine games, their worst since 1977, as the Seagulls celebrated a first-ever away win against Arsenal.

Adam Webster's finish had given Graham Potters' side a deserved half-time lead with Arsenal jeered off by their own fans as Ljungberg was given a harsh wake-up call as to the size of the task in front of him.

The 42-year-old Swede replaced Unai Emery after he was sacked on Friday but his side could only follow up a 2-2 draw at struggling Norwich with another insipid display.

Brighton had not won on the road since an opening weekend victory at Watford but captain Dunk insisted they aimed to use the unease around the Emirates as a way to see off their beleaguered opponents.

"I think if we put them under pressure, and got into them early like we did, I think it was going to be tough for them," he said.

"They are going through a tough time, and if we got on top of them, the crowd would go against them and we managed that.

"Obviously you want to start a game well and get on top of any team but obviously they are going through a tough time so we knew it was going to be really important to do that here.

"So the crowd turned on them a bit, especially at half-time when they were booing them so it was a nice win.

Neal Maupay was the match-winner in Brighton's victory at Arsenal
Neal Maupay was the match-winner in Brighton's victory at Arsenal (Adam Davy/PA)

"They are a top side, we were probably expecting more but it was credit to us the way we can play football."

Dunk felt the performance from Brighton, especially in the first half, was vindicated by the response of Arsenal's disgruntled fanbase – who jeered at both half-time and full-time – for what was a fine result for Graham Potter's side.

"I think it has got to be a testament to us and the way we performed in the first half," he replied when asked about the booing.

"We are a good side and hopefully we can keep working hard in training and keep improving. We are still learning under this manager and we have a long way to go.

"It is a massive win and we are all buzzing in the changing room. In the end, we won dirty if you look at it in the second half."

Ljungberg conceded the reaction from the home fans did little to help his players as they succumbed to a second home defeat in the last week to remain without a win in all competitions since October 24.

"It's obvious that nervousness from a crowd can affect footballers," he said.

"It doesn't matter what quality you have. They're human beings like everyone else, they want to do well and they feel the pressure.

"That's something we need to work on and I feel like if we just dig out a win, we can get there. They showed it in the second half."

ID:381934: cacheID:381934:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:8425:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Brighton boss Graham Potter on September 28, 2019
Read Next:
Graham Potter wary of Arsenal threat under Freddie Ljungberg
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014

Subscribe to our newsletter


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!