How Brighton star used ‘rugby tactic’ to terrorise Gabriel and Ezri Konsa during 3-0 hammering of Arsenal

DATA from Brighton’s thumping win over Arsenal shows keeper Bart Verbruggen pumped the ball forward to exploit the reigning Premier League champions. The Gunners’ unbeaten start to the season went up in smoke when they suffered a shock 3-0 defeat to the Seagulls on Saturday. Bart Verbruggen played a key role in Brighton’s convincing win over Arsenal Credit: Getty The Dutchman’s long passes caused problems for Ezri Konsa Credit: Shutterstock Editorial And Verbruggen, 24, caused carnage for the Arsenal backline by using a rugby tactic to get Brighton on the front foot. The Dutch shot-stopper constantly went long with his passes instead of trying to build from the back. Sign up for the Arsenal newsletter Thank you! Brighton chief Fabian Hurzeler, who buried the hatchet with opposite number Mikel Arteta following a spat last season, clearly told his stars to win back possession as close to Arsenal’s goal as possible. And statistics show Verbruggen was at the centre of that tactical plan at the Amex. He terrorised Arsenal centre-backs Gabriel and Ezri Konsa during the surprise hammering by making them get involved in aerial duels. Verbruggen completed 22 passes as the Gunners were swept aside, with a large number of those being floated into the attacking third while others were nodded into touch. Brighton’s opener, thanks to Pascal Gross’ long range stunner, came after their No1 had stood with his studs on the ball before going long to the right-hand side. And Verbruggen, who was linked with a summer move to Bayern Munich, regularly targeted that side of the pitch as Brighton chased all three points. Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS Arsenal have become one of the Premier League’s most dominant forces when it comes to physicality and winning the first ball. But Brighton were able to quickly regain possession by getting numbers on the right-hand side and pouncing on any loose headers. Right-back Ferdi Kadioglu was told by Hurzeler to push up and continuously box Arsenal in. And Arsenal boss Arteta conceded his title holders were caught out on the south coast. He said: “I am extremely disappointed. It’s a big lesson for us and they deserved to win. “We have to congratulate them for the victory. There were certain basics you need in football – especially in the Premier League – that we were very far from. Gabriel had a nightmare afternoon thanks to Verbruggen and Co Credit: Getty “It was the amount of technical errors we made, while we didn’t respect any principle of play that we have to do. “But that’s not going to take away what the boys have done in the last six or seven weeks since the World Cup.” Comment now