Brighton 2-3 Arsenal

Last updated on .From the section Football

Theo Walcott's deflected late winner settled a pulsating encounter and sent Arsenal into the FA Cup fifth round at the expense of battling Brighton.
Gus Poyet's Championship side demonstrated exactly why they are play-off contenders as they pushed Arsenal every inch of the way before finally being beaten by substitute Walcott's strike five minutes from time.
Arsenal led twice through Olivier Giroud but in a thunderous atmosphere Brighton bounced back and looked to have secured at least a replay with goals from Ashley Barnes and £2m Argentine striker Leonardo Ulloa on his debut.
Arsene Wenger sent on Walcott and Jack Wilshere in the second half to give Arsenal extra thrust and control.
And it was Walcott who answered his manager's call with a volley from the edge of the area after Brighton goalkeeper Casper Ankergren punched a corner out to the edge of the area.
This was the toughest of examinations for Arsenal - who are seeking their first trophy in eight years - and Wenger's delight at the final whistle was clear evidence of his relief and pleasure at negotiating it safely.
Brighton celebrate the 30th anniversary of reaching the FA Cup final against Manchester United - which they lost after a replay - this year and the old competition certainly stirred the emotions as the stadium crackled with noise and fervour throughout.
Arsenal's visit drew a record crowd to The Amex - but they did not see Wilshere, Walcott and Santi Cazorla from the start as they were left on the bench.
Brighton have proved in the past they are undaunted by visitors from the Premier League. And so it proved again as they created the first clear opening, only for Barnes to miscue his volley and allow Wojciech Szczesny to save.
It was punished instantly as Arsenal swept to the other end to take the lead after 16 minutes, Giroud measuring a perfect left-foot finish high past Ankergren from 20 yards.
To Brighton's credit, they were not knocked out of their stride by the goal and applied pressure to Arsenal's struggling left-back Andre Santos as he battled to contain the lively Will Buckley.
Brighton, who had replaced injured captain Gordon Greer with Gary Dicker, drew level after 33 minutes as Barnes made amends for his earlier miss by beating Szczesny to David Lopez's cross to head in.
It was no more than they deserved, although they suffered another injury blow as the influential Buckley was replaced by Kazenga LuaLua at the start of the second half.
Arsenal opened with greater intent after the restart, with Lukas Podolski striking the bar from a free-kick, but it proved to be a temporary reprieve as the dangerous Giroud showed held off Adam El-Abd to sweep a finish past Ankergren from close range after 56 minutes.
In a thrilling game, Brighton once more showed their strength of character to draw level six minutes later. Arsenal's slack defending left manager Wenger infuriated on the sidelines as Ulloa stooped to send a diving header past Szczesny from Barnes's cross.
Wenger decided it was time to send on Wilshere and Walcott for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Tomas Rosicky but it was Giroud who remained the danger man. He had already forced an important block from Ankergren then volleyed into the ground and just over as the game entered the final phase.
The decisive moment came when Ankergren's punch landed at the feet of Walcott on the edge of the area and his volley glanced off El-Abd into the net in front of Arsenal's ecstatic travelling support.
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Good Game Brighton... Well Done
Why did Wenger buy him?
His strength was as an attacking left sided player who was converted to a left back in mid-career. Defending was never his strength, but he did score goals. He was the top scoring left back in the Turkish league in '09. He also plays for Brazil, so he does have cred.
Skills maybe, just not good defensive ones.
If I had the wings of a seagull...
This is what Wenger said about Brighton today on arsenal.com:
Brighton are a good team. They made it very difficult for us.They were sharper than us in the first half. In the second half, we were much more in the game. They [Brighton] play a game that is a very positive, technical game and they had a great spirit today.
Do some research before posting stupid comments!
Don't get your point mate. I'll repeat mine. Arsenal fans should stop asking for Usmanov, we don't want a Chelski model. A criminal oligarch who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing is not "our Arsenal". We might win a few trophies that way, but we'd become a cancer on the game. Wonder why Pep said "no" endlessly? Chelski are "less than a club".
Wenger is "our Arsenal".
Good luck to Brighton in their promotion bid, they play some nice football and look a decent side.
you are such a comedy genius, your talent is wasted, the way you just change the odd letter in someones name or add some letters to a football teams name to change the meaning is pure comedy gold.
how do you do it is it true what they say that genius is very close to being absolutely bonkers. you are killing all gooners with your super sharp wit.we are on the floor.
pls stop.ouch
Santos wouldn't make it in to any other team in the Prem. Why he was ever deemed fit for Arsenal is beyond me. Would love to see Luke Shaw or Baines come in and compete with Gibbs.