Petr Cech - 6 out of 10
Given very little task to do, although the ex-Chelsea No. 1 goalie unusually flapped at a corner when deciding to come off his line. Given a few scares late on as the Brighton threw caution to the wind.
Rob Holding - 6 out of 10
Looked a little nervous while starting on but settled down as Mustafi and Bellerin looked to make his day easier. 90 minutes outing will have done his confidence the world of good after recent struggles.
Shkodran Mustafi - 7 out of 10
A very good performance at both ends of the pitch. Mustafi as per Goal, had 94.6% pass accuracy, 9 clearances, had 1 key pass and won 72.7% duels. The Germany international was only blighted late on when he allowed Brighton’s Glenn Murray to steal in ahead of him and have a golden chance to score. Showed a matured performance playing alongside Holding, which will have impressed Wenger.
Nacho Monreal 8 out of 10
The Spaniard scored his first goal since March 2013 as he reacted quickest to Granit Xhaka’s free-kick that deflected off Mustafi, and showed a good awareness to pinch possession on occasion whenever the away side looked to attack.
Hector Bellerin - 7 out of 10
A good performance from Bellerin who relished the attacking platform that a defence Brighton afforded him later on. The Spaniard linked up well with Sanchez as roamed across the pitch.
Aaron Ramsey - 6 out of 10
The Welshman looked frustrated as everything he tried just didn’t come off this afternoon. Ramsey moved to a deeper role alongside Xhaka, but passes laid by him was on the heavy side and killed off chances while his best effort on goal was well saved by Ryan.
Granit Xhaka - 7 out of 10
The Swiss free-kick produced the Gunners’ opener as it caused panic in the Brighton area. A brilliant performance from him as he tackled well with the former Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder - but guilty of wasting a good free-kick opportunity.
Sead Kolasinac - 7 out of 10
Unlucky not to have a goal as his leader was cleared off the line from Sanchez’s corner. A real threat coming forward due to Kolasinac’s size and skill, but caught out positionally by Propper and had to concede a free-kick from which Brighton nearly equalised.
Alex Iwobi - 8 out of 10
Back from a thigh injury with a goal to his name. The Nigerian attacking midfielder enjoyed the central role he was afforded with two mazy runs in the first half, and he finally converted a chance when Sanchez laid one to him on a plate.
Alexis Sanchez - 8 out of 10
The beating heart of our side was at his most lively as he troubled the Brighton back four. Sanchez was aware enough to backheel the ball into Iwobi’s path to net the second goal and could easily have scored in the opening half had he been able able to put the ball either side of goalkeeper Ryan.
Alexandre Lacazette – 7 out of 10
The only thing that prevents him from an eight is the number of chances he failed to take. Lively start saw the striker crack a powerful long-range half-volley against the post, but his next two opportunities were blocked and when he finally got a chance away, it was a tame finish that Ryan easily saved.
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