Paul Merson slams Arsenal star for being ‘miles off it’ in Brighton defeat | Football

Arsenal star Bruno Guimaraes was ‘miles off it’ in Arsenal’s heavy defeat to Brighton according to Paul Merson, who was surprised the midfielder was not hauled off at half-time.

The Brazil international, signed from Newcastle United for £75million during the summer transfer window, started his first Premier League game for the club against Sunderland last week having recovered from a couple of minor injury setbacks.

He scored a sensational long range strike at the Stadium of Light, keeping his place in the starting XI alongside Declan Rice at Brighton on Saturday.

Arsenal were overrun by the hosts however with Guimaraes in particular struggling. Brighton were two goals ahead by half time with Mikel Arteta deciding against changes at the break but the former Newcastle star was hooked on the hour, replaced by Mikel Merino.

Arsenal great Merson suggested today’s game was ‘too quick’ for the 28-year-old who struggled to deal with the Seagulls all afternoon.

‘A million miles off it. A million miles off it. I said at half time he would come off, but he’s stayed on for another 10 minutes or so,’ Merson said of the Brazilian on Sky Sports.

‘It was really quick for him, they closed him down.

‘I don’t care how good you are. If people get your head down and close you down and make you work it’s a leveller and that’s what Brighton have done. They have been absolutely brilliant.’

Guimaraes partnered Rice in midfield for the first time last weekend against Sunderland with Myles Lewis-Skelly missing out as a result.

The new partnership had a difficult afternoon on the coast with Arteta expecting the duo to improve.

‘It worked extremely well when we played Sunderland away and we managed to win the game,’ Arteta said.

‘And today it didn’t work so well for a lot of things that happened as well behind them to make sure that they could play a completely different game.

‘That’s something that for sure it will evolve. It’s in its early stages, they only play together a few minutes and that relationship will for sure improve and give us a lot of joy.’

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