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Paul Merson slams Arsenal star for being 'miles off it' in Brighton defeat
Sep 19 2026 18:17 · By Tony Mogan · 29 Reads
Arteta’s side lost for the first time this season (Picture: Sports Press Photo/Shutterstock)
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.
The former Newcastle captain struggled on the coast (Picture: James Marsh/Shutterstock)
‘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.
Guimaraes was replaced on the hour mark (Picture: Sports Press Photo/Shutterstock)
‘It worked extremely well when we played Sunderland away and we managed to win the game,’ Arteta said.