Arsenal
Arsenal Player Ratings Against Hull City: Sanchez The Saviour For The Gunners
Arsenal struggled to win the match and ended up dropping two more crucial points as the fans are growing increasingly frustrated. With as many as 9 players unfit, Arsene Wenger knew that he’ll need to be clinical and effective from the word go, and to some extent it looked that way when Sanchez scored early. But as the match progressed, Hull absorbed the pressure and hit Arsenal with attacks of their own. Here are the ratings for Arsenal players.
Szczesny: 3/5
Had a rather uneventful afternoon despite conceding two clinical goals. He was perhaps slightly overcommitted in the conceding of the first goal. A decent performance otherwise for the Polish keeper.
Hector Bellerin: 3/5
In his first start for the Gunners, the young Spaniard played well defensively. He avoided his instincts to bomb forward and made some crucial interjections in the match. A good game for the young Right Back to start off his Arsenal career.
Per Mertesacker: 2.5/5
He had a decent game but was at fault for Hull’s second goal. One cannot simply let a much shorter player get in front of you facing goal, and then out-jump you when you’re 6 feet 6 inches tall. Mertesacker should have done better while defending against Abel Hernandez’s header.
Nacho Monreal: 3/5
The Spaniard was played out of position but he didn’t make any errors. He had a quiet game in a position where he lacks the usual physicality or decisiveness. He defended pretty well while Hull tried aerial attacks.
Keiran Gibbs: 3/5
He was a constant offensive support to the attacking midfielders as Arsenal piled pressure on Hull early on in the first half. He showed good consistency in the game as well.
Flamini: 2.5/5
The Frenchman did nothing spectacular as he played a box to box role passing simple and doing the dirty job. Was no match for Diame’s strength and power as he ran through him, though it apparently looked like the Hull City midfielder had fouled him, as he went on to score the equalizer.
Wilshere: 3.5/5
Wilshere showed good form in midfield with good passes and dribbles. At times he lacked a bit of decisiveness yet he was perhaps one of the bright spots. He suffered an injury to his ankle with 20 minutes to go, as he walked off the pitch adding another worry for Arsene Wenger.
Oxlade-Chamberlain: 2/5
He was almost non-existent in attacks and had a rather poor game considering his recent performances. The young Englishman was often the cause of breaking down of Arsenal’s moves as his passing was off radar as well as his offensive runs. An afternoon to ponder over for the youngster, who would now want to focus harder.
Cazorla: 3/5
Cazorla was one of the threats in the first half as he was on song. He had one great shot on target forcing a full stretched save from the keeper. He had a decent game against a rather resilient opposition. The Spaniard will have to maintain his form and fitness in these days of injury crisis as Ozil is out for 3 months.
Sanchez: 4/5
Sanchez was a real goal threat in the moments when Arsenal dominated with full fury. He had a chance to score early on which he couldn’t capitalize on, but then he found the back of the net with a clean and clinical strike into the bottom corner to put Arsenal ahead. Regular goals from him would have already endeared him to Arsenal fans.
Welbeck: 3/5
His influence was limited as he wasn’t provided space by a tight Hull City defence. He had a chance early on which he couldn’t convert as Harper was quick to react. He scored a late equalizer for the Gunners, as he won the draw for the struggling club.
Substitutes:
Ramsey: 3/5
Fans were delighted when he came on for Flamini as he is finally back from injury. He played a part in the late attacks.
Joel Campbell: 3/5
The Costa Rican came on for Wilshere to a very excited crowd. Was good overall with his passes and movement and would hope for more chances to impress in the future as Arsenal are a bit down on squad depth.
Arsenal
Eni Aluko Responds to Laura Woods’ Damning Comments With Long Statement as Ian Wright Row Continues
Eni Aluko has responded to a lengthy social media thread from Laura Woods amid the ongoing controversy surrounding her feud with Ian Wright. Aluko caused outrage in 2025 when she accused Wright of blocking opportunities for female pundits, and she has reaffirmed her stance this week.
The former England international, who represented the Lionesses 105 times during her career, bemoaned the fact that two men, Wright and Nedum Onuoha, were on the punditry panel for the Women’s Euro 2025 final. This reignited a debate that many thought had been settled months ago.
Woods Pushes Back on Caps Argument
Woods took to social media on Monday morning to post a long thread explaining that caps don’t win automatic work. That comment came after Aluko pointed out she was sitting in the stands of last year’s final next to Fara Williams, who has 172 England caps.
The TNT Sports presenter added, “The women’s game should be by women for women is one of the most damaging phrases I’ve heard. It will not only drag women’s sport backwards, it will drag women’s punditry in all forms of the game backwards.” This is a fair point from Woods, who has built her career on merit rather than relying on playing credentials.
Aluko Stands Firm on Position
Responding to Woods, with whom she has worked previously, the 38 year old stated, “I respect Laura’s opinion as I have always done. I believe that women’s football should prioritise women as the faces of the sport. I think women should be the dominant force in the women’s game in the same way that men are the dominant force in the men’s game.”
Aluko also slammed Wright for declining her attempted apology last year. “When I apologised to Ian Wright publicly and privately, he had an opportunity to show grace. Unfortunately my sincerity, my humility, was met with disrespect.” This ongoing feud shows no signs of ending anytime soon.
Also read: London City Lionesses vs. Everton Women: Predicted Lineups + Match Preview
Arsenal‘s 2-1 win over Brighton on December 27 revealed three critical truths about their title challenge and season trajectory heading into the final stretch.
The Gunners showed resilience but exposed defensive vulnerabilities that could prove catastrophic against Manchester City. Martin Odegaard’s clinical finishing and Brighton’s own goal masked deeper problems within Arsenal’s structure. Mikel Arteta’s men survived because Brighton lacked quality, not because Arsenal dominated.
Arsenal’s Defensive Fragility Remains Their Achilles Heel
Myles Lewis-Skelly’s nervous display highlighted Arsenal’s defensive depth concerns. The young left-back was withdrawn after 67 minutes with Arteta forced to shift Piero Hincapie left and introduce Gabriel Magalhaes. Brighton created legitimate chances through Yasin Ayari and Yankuba Minteh, with the latter forcing a world-class David Raya save in the 89th minute.
Manchester City will punish these defensive lapses ruthlessly. William Saliba appeared uncomfortable throughout, and Lewis-Skelly’s inexperience showed repeatedly. Arsenal need Gabriel Magalhaes and Riccardo Calafiori back to full fitness immediately. Without consistent defensive solidity, no amount of Odegaard brilliance secures the title.
Fortuitous Circumstances Carried Arsenal Rather Than Merit
Georginio Rutter’s own goal proved the difference in reality. Arsenal should have been 2 to 0 up at half-time with multiple clear chances. Martin Zubimendi had a guilt-edge header saved by Bart Verbruggen. Leandro Trossard fired wide from close range.
The hosts never played at optimum level despite dominating possession. Brighton grew into the game after half-time and genuinely threatened. The narrative of Arsenal’s unstoppable form crumbles when examining performance metrics. They’re winning tightly contested matches through individual moments rather than systematic dominance.
Gyokeres Still Needs Time to Adjust
Viktor Gyokeres had a sloppy opening 45 minutes according to GOAL’s ratings. The Swedish summer signing is struggling to find rhythm in Arsenal’s system. His involvement in link up play remains pedestrian.
Arsenal invested heavily in Gyokeres expecting elite performance immediately. Instead they’re watching a player adapting to new surroundings without consistent output. Against City’s defensive intensity, Gyokeres cannot afford settling in periods. Arsenal need him sharp now, not eventually.
Also read: Opta Supercomputer Predicts Arsenal’s Upcoming Fixture Against Brighton
Arsenal
Arsenal Player Ratings vs. Brighton: Odegaard’s Clinical Finish and Rutter Own Goal Secure Gunners Top Spot
Arsenal secured a 2 to 1 win over Brighton on December 27 to maintain their Premier League summit position. Martin Odegaard’s clinical 15th-minute finish set the tone before Georginio Rutter’s own goal in the 53rd minute appeared to secure a comfortable victory.
Diego Gomez’s 64th-minute rebound sparked a nervy finish, but David Raya’s world-class save from Yankuba Minteh sealed crucial three points as Arsenal held their two-point cushion over Manchester City.
Goalkeepers and Defence
David Raya (8/10): Didn’t really have a great deal to do for the first 60 minutes. He could do little about Brighton’s goal but made a world-class stop to deny Minteh late on with fierce curling strike.
Declan Rice (7/10): Playing in an unfamiliar right-back role, the midfielder played his part in the buildup to Odegaard’s goal. His corner led to Arsenal’s second. Did a solid job once again for his team in an energetic display.
William Saliba (6/10): The Frenchman had no real howlers but didn’t excel in Arsenal’s backline either. Will be glad to have centre-back partner Gabriel Magalhaes back alongside him soon.
Piero Hincapie (7/10): The summer signing has been a solid addition for Arsenal and didn’t do much wrong, both at centre-back and left back against Brighton.
Myles Lewis-Skelly (5/10): On his first Premier League start of the season, partly due to Riccardo Calafiori’s withdrawal from the warm-up, he did not do a great deal. Arteta chose to take off the left-back, move Hincapie to that position, and bring on Gabriel instead.
Midfield and Attack
Martin Odegaard (7/10): Rifled in a terrific finish when given time and space to do so. Had a bit of swagger early on but that dimmed as Brighton turned on the pressure.
Martin Zubimendi (6/10): Was part of a midfield that looked in control and then that switched after the Brighton goal. May need to offer a bit more going forward.
Mikel Merino (6/10): The Spaniard has been excellent as a makeshift striker but wasn’t nearly as effective in his usual midfield role.
Bukayo Saka (7/10): Calmly assisted Odegaard for Arsenal’s opener and had the beating of left-back Maxim De Cuyper. Didn’t have many moments to shine but still can produce something from nothing.
Viktor Gyokeres (5/10): Had a sloppy and unconvincing start, both with and without the ball. Improved a bit but it’s just not clicking for the summer signing.
Leandro Trossard (6/10): The Belgian, who was getting a bit of stick from the travelling support, had a decent game against his former club but wasn’t as effective as the encounter wore on.
Also read: Arsenal vs. Brighton: Predicted Lineups + Match Preview
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