Brighton & Hove Albion

2.50

• 
  3

  3

  2.50

  Casper Ankergren

  Little the Dane could do about Giroud's unstoppable opener and couldn't close down the Frenchman quickly enough as Arsenal went back in front, but was equal to the Arsenal No.12 at the third time of asking. A deflection took the winner cruelly beyond the Brighton keeper.

• 
  2

  5

  2.00

  Adam El-Abd

  Sucked in by Podolski to allow Giroud a free shot at goal to open the scoring, and could not force the striker wide enough as the France international netted his second of the day. Was unfortunate to see Walcott's strike deflect off him and beyond Ankergren.

• 
  1

  5

  2.50

  Gordon Greer

  A commanding display from the centre-back, until he was forced out of the game with an injury after 36 minutes and replaced by Dicker.

• 
  1

  5

  2.50

  Calderón

  Ventured forward whenever possible in the first half until an injury to Greer saw him move to centre-back.

• 
  3

  4

  2.50

  Wayne Bridge

  Had a quiet afternoon in general at left-back but looked to push forward more after the break in tandem with LuaLua as Arsenal offered little threat on his flank.

• 
  1

  4

  2.50

  Dean Hammond

  A sturdy display from the midfielder, who looked to connect defence with attack and competed well against Arsenal's three-man midfield.

• 
  3

  4

  3.00

  David López

  Booked early on for tripping Rosicky as the Czech broke through midfield. The former Bilbao man provided an exceptional cross for Barnes to equalise.

• 
  0

  5

  2.50

  Liam Bridcutt

  A decent showing from the Brighton fan favourite, but could not help his side take control of the game as Arsenal grew stronger in the second half.

• 
  0

  5

  2.50

  Will Buckley

  Combined with Calderon to provide a cross for Ulloa which the Argentinian could not convert. Looked dangerous until having to come off with an injury at half time.

• 
  2

  3

  3.00

  Ashley Barnes

  Denied by Szczesny early on and should have scored having been played clean through, but got in front of the Pole to head home the equaliser before the interval and crossed expertly for Ulloa to score in the second half. Booked for a late tackle.

• 
  6

  2

  3.00

  L. Ulloa

  Inches away from connecting with a Buckley cross in the first half and saw a tap-in rightly disallowed for offside, but got his debut goal by eluding Mertesacker and diving to head past Szczesny. Came off to applause from the home crowd in the 73rd minute.

Substitutions

• 
  0

  5

  2.00

  Gary Dicker

  Came on in the first half after an injury to Greer and did well in midfield as Brighton were forced to reshuffle.

• 
  2

  3

  2.50

  Kezenga Lualua

  Replaced the injured Buckley at half time, moving to the left wing and asking plenty of questions of Jenkinson.

• 
  2

  4

  2.00

  Craig Mackail-Smith

  A late introduction, replacing debutant Ulloa. Saw a stoppage time appeal for a penalty turned away.

Arsenal FC

2.31

• 
  15

  13

  2.00

  Wojciech Szczesny

  Made a save to deny Barnes early on, but was slow to claim a Lopez corner which was headed in by the striker and was helpless as his defence abandoned him for Ulloa to make it 2-2.

• 
  15

  30

  1.50

  Andre Santos Flop of the Match

  Given plenty of problems by Calderon and Buckley in a frustrating first half in which the Brazilian also offered little offensively. Eventually replaced by Gibbs.

• 
  19

  6

  2.50

  Carl Jenkinson

  Largely untested in the first half as Brighton threatened on the opposite flank. Stung Ankergren's palms with a fierce effort after the break, but was dispossessed later on, though Brighton could not punish the right-back.

• 
  15

  6

  2.00

  Laurent Koscielny

  Hardly the biggest culprit in a poor defensive display from the Gunners' back four, but did very little to take control of proceedings.

• 
  11

  15

  1.50

  Per Mertesacker

  Slow to step up with the rest of the back four, playing Barnes onside for a chance the striker should have done better with. Didn't do enough to prevent Ulloa from heading beyond Szczesny for the equaliser.

• 
  19

  6

  2.50

  A. Diaby

  One of a handful of Arsenal players who could have prevented Barnes' free run into the six yard box for Brighton's equaliser. Still looks slightly off the pace as his recovery from injury continues, but provided a delightful chipped pass for Giroud's second goal.

• 
  21

  7

  2.00

  Aaron Ramsey

  Booked in the second half and was otherwise the most passive of an Arsenal midfield three for the duration of the game.

• 
  33

  2

  3.00

  Tomas Rosicky

  Started brightly as his comeback from injury continued, launching the counter for Giroud's opening goal. Dragged a shot wide as the first half came to a close. Came off in the second half for Wilshere but put in an encouraging performance.

• 
  12

  7

  2.00

  Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

  Saw his fairly quiet afternoon end just before the 70th minute, being replaced by Theo Walcott.

• 
  35

  1

  3.00

  Lukas Podolski

  Drifted infield to lay the ball off for Giroud to open the scoring. Inches away from putting the Gunners back in front with a beautiful free kick which shook the crossbar.

• 
  49

  1

  3.50

  Olivier Giroud Top of the Match

  Scored a sensational opening goal, curling a powerful shot beyond Ankergren from 20 yards before showing exceptional control to latch onto a Diaby pass to double his tally. Booked during the celebrations.

Substitutions

• 
  29

  1

  Kieran Gibbs

  Brought on for Andre Santos late on.

• 
  36

  1

  2.00

  Jack Wilshere

  Replaced the tiring Rosicky in the second half and provided plenty of energy but could not carve Brighton open. His corner was cleared and eventually found Walcott, who scored the winner.

• 
  35

  1

  2.50

  Theo Walcott

  Came on in an attempt to win Arsenal the game in the final 20 minutes, replacing Oxlade-Chamberlain and grabbed the winner with a shot from the edge of the area which took a huge deflection.