Ethan Nwaneri shines as £31m star flops- Arsenal three winners and three losers vs Brighton
Mikel Arteta was able to rotate his squad and still see his Arsenal team progress to the next round of the Carabao Cup at the expense of fellow Premier League side Brighton.
Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Crystal Palace currently has Arteta’s side top of the Premier League table, and they are also looking to end a long wait for success in the Carabao Cup having not won the competition since 1993.
Bukayo Saka, who edges closer to a new Arsenal deal, netted the second goal to seal the victory with 14 minutes remaining after Ethan Nwaneri opened the scoring earlier in the second half.
The Gunners overcame Port Vale 2-0 in the previous round thanks to goals from Eberechi Eze and Leandro Trossard.
Below are Arsenal‘s three winners and three losers from their 2-0 victory over Brighton at Emirates Stadium.
Winners
Piero Hincapie
The Ecuadorian international came in for his first Arsenal start since he joined the club on loan from Bayer Leverkusen.
Piero Hincapie slotted alongside Cristian Mosquera at centre-back, with the 23-year-old also able to fill in at left-back.
Hincapie was strong in duels and made a couple of important tackles and blocks, and did not look out of place.
Myles Lewis-Skelly
Fighting to regain his position in the first team on a more regular basis, Myles Lewis-Skelly put in a strong performance at left-back.
Lewis-Skelly was not afraid to burst forward and his cutback was perfect to find Nwaneri in the penalty area to score the goal.
The 19-year-old was able to keep Georginio Rutter quiet, with the 23-year-old substituted with over 20 minutes remaining despite Brighton needing a goal.
Ethan Nwaneri
The 18-year-old scored Arsenal’s crucial breakthrough goal with a sweeping finish past the stretching Brighton goalkeeper.
Nwaneri took up a central position with Eberechi Eze occupying the left flank, and the teenager was a threat all game.
Seven shots was the most of any Arsenal player as Nwaneri was positive with his play and made a statement to be given more minutes in the Premier League.
Losers
Andre Harriman-Annous
Andre Harriman-Annous made his Arsenal debut, in what would have been a landmark moment for the 17-year-old.
| Minutes Played | 77 |
| Shots | 1 |
| Touches | 16 |
| Aerial Duels Won | 0/6 |
Viktor Gyokeres has started all but one match for the Gunners this season, so it made sense for Arteta to rest the striker.
Harriman-Annous will continue his progression into the first team with the academy, with the striker not yet at the level to be in Arteta’s plans.
Cristian Norgaard
The 31-year-old has had little game time for Arsenal this season, and it showed during this match.
Cristian Norgaard joined Arsenal from Brentford for his leadership qualities and as a squad player.
The Dane won none of his tackles and made the only error leading to a shot of any Arsenal player.
Mikel Merino
Mikel Merino committed five fouls in the match and only had 40 touches in midfield as the game passed by the Spain international.
Playing in his natural midfield position, it may have been a better idea for Arteta to have started Merino up-front instead of Harriman-Annous.
Merino won just four of his 11 ground duels, as the 29-year-old looks likely to remain on the Gunners bench.