Arsenal defeated by Brighton as torrid run goes on

Another game, another loss. It's days like this where Arsenal fans wonder what else has to go wrong before Arsene Wenger is sacked. Another torrid performance by the Gunners resulted in a fourth successive straight defeat, the first since 2002, and a first league defeat to Brighton since 1982.

Team selection

Before the game, Arsene Wenger gambled by resting Aaron Ramsey and demoting Hector Bellerin to the bench.

Bellerin might have been rested due to his recent comments on Arsenal Fan TV.

It was a strong attacking lineup for the Gunners, with Mkhitaryan and Ozil in alongside new signing Aubameyang. The continued inclusion of Granit Xhaka was baffling, however. It is perhaps time to give Elneny a chance to show what he can do in midfield.

Brighton too put forward their best team with Glenn Murray up front, along with Gross on the wing.

First half

Arsenal started off brightly, creating a few chances, but Brighton won a corner from their first real attack of the game and scored from it. Moments later, Arsenal had switched off again, leaving Murray free in the area to head in the second.

It was another abject surrender by this Arsenal team, who have been awfully abject of late.

Arsenal responded to the second goal well, and a good ball by Xhaka was flicked beautifully by new signing Aubameyang into the net to make it 2-1. There seemed a palpable energy among the team to try to get some pride back, however, the period between the first two goals has to go down as one of the worst moments of the season.

Second period

Arsenal continued to dominate the possession in the second half but found chances few and far in between. It was Brighton who came closer to getting a third, and Arsenal should arguably have been down to ten men after Kolasinac's challenge on Schelotto who left the field with a concussion.

In stoppage time, Aubameyang had possibly the best chance of the game but hit it straight at Ryan.

Arsene Wenger's time at an end?

In the end though, despite the few changes made, Arsenal were never on top for long periods, and there were few signs that the team was playing for the manager. The same old problems of defensive frailty and stale possession continued for Arsenal, and it's important for the Arsenal board to finally consider whether it might be time for a change. Things can not continue as they have been. Arsenal is out of the top four, and based on today's performances, will soon find themselves out of the Europa League as well.

It is sad to see Arsene Wenger's run end like this after his early successes, but in the end, it is time for a change.

The away fans for the first time showed visible discontent as a whole, and the huge renditions asking for Wenger to leave can not have gone unheard by the Arsenal hierarchy. It was another humiliating loss for Wenger, and his time is surely now at an end with this historic club.