Neal Maupay was spot on. Arsenal could learn a lot from ‘Teams like Brighton’.

Neal Maupay was spot on. Arsenal could learn a lot from ‘Teams like Brighton’.

‘Arsenal players need to learn humility sometimes’. 

Expertly worded and perfectly timed to make the match-winning Frenchman, Neal Maupay, the most hated man on Holloway Road. 

Club branded headphone wearing superfan Ty, who’s opinion is as about as useful as a chocolate teapot, hit back at Maupay calling him a ‘Cheat’ and wishing relegation on the seagulls. 

Words I’m sure Neal lost sleep over on his Saturday night. 

In reality - Maupay has hit the nail on the head.

And the ‘Teams like Brighton’ narrative is something Arsenal need to closely examine.

Players like Matteo Guendouzi dropping 3/10 performances, being run all over the park by the impressive Yves Bissouma but still managing to throttle the Ex-Brentford number 7 because he’s wearing a Red and White shirt is a prime example of this. 

The Arsenal players, and blind fans, argument will be the defence of the incomparable Bernd Leno’s injury after 40 minutes. An unfortunate and painful moment for the goalkeeper and Arsenal support alike which will see him out for at least the remainder of the season. 

Rio Ferdinand on BT Sport when he jostled with Peter Crouch’s claims of the challenge being ‘Naughty’ and defended Maupay by highlighting ‘If I’m a player for Brighton, I want my striker doing that’.

Forget striker.

You want your Team doing that.

Yet another weak Arsenal argument to try and deflect from the cold hard facts of their mid-table mediocrity. 

But, with all due respect, Arsenal really shouldn’t be losing to ‘Teams like Brighton’.

^A statement that makes me as a die hard Gooner cringe with despair every time I hear it from a Fresh Ego Kid wearing, 45 year old, ex DJ and father who would put Qarabag Away ahead of a family christening or birthday party. 

And Liam is just one strange member of ArsenalFanTV’s army of delusional supporters. A platform you can’t help but place blame on for fuelling the naivety and stone cold stupidness of Arsenal followers.

Arsenal fans haven’t had humility for as long as I’ve supported them. Even less so in today’s toxic Football Twitter society. 

Strange really. Considering how bang average the squad actually is. And has been since at least 2016. The year you could argue was, just about, our last genuine title challenge.

2-1 at home to Leicester. ‘Now you’re gunna believe us’ chants racing round the Emirates. Danny Welbeck winning golden boot at the Euro’s according to Piccadilly line users on the way home. Bet you can’t guess what happened next?

3-2 loss away to Manchester United. The weakest Manchester United in decades. Tough.

2-1 loss at HOME to Swansea. 16th in the League. Criminal.

Arsenal finished 2nd with 7 losses. 

Losses to ‘Teams like Swansea’. ‘Teams like West Ham’. 'Teams like West Brom’. ‘Teams like Southampton’. 

Arsenal’s loss on the South Coast wasn’t a bump in the road.

It’s an ongoing, underlying, deeply worrying issue for people like me who invest time and money into what was once a great club.

Not anymore. 

Then what if Aubameyang leaves? 

17 goals in a genuinely mid-table side.

A superstar who deserves to spread his wings both in front of a fanbase and for a squad that deserve him.

What happens then? 

Neal Maupay will be disliked by the majority of Arsenal fans for a while. 

But not by me. 

He just said what everyone should be thinking. 

If Arsenal don’t gain some perspective and humility soon - how long will it take for people to be saying;

Christ - We really shouldn’t be losing to ‘Teams like Arsenal’.