'This club is a joke!' - Arsenal & Wenger mocked after terrible first-half display against Brighton

Chris Burton

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'This club is a joke!' - Arsenal & Wenger mocked after terrible first-half display against Brighton image

Arsenal’s struggles continued during a disappointing display at Brighton, with an abject first-half performance seeing them ridiculed on social media.

Arsene Wenger took his out-of sorts side to the Amex Stadium hoping to ease some of the pressure on his shoulders, but further criticism has rained down on a team low on confidence and stuck firmly in a rut.

Back-to-back defeats to Manchester City had seen uncomfortable questions asked in north London, with the Carabao Cup surrendered at Wembley with little resistance.

Arsenal fared little better against the Premier League leaders in an immediate rematch at Emirates Stadium, with Wenger facing a barrage of abuse in the wake of two disjointed displays.

It has been suggested that his days could be numbered after 22 years at the Gunners helm.

Inspiring a positive response against Brighton would have helped to quieten some of his detractors, but Arsenal made the worst possible start against the Seagulls.

Lewis Dunk broke the deadlock inside seven minutes, with more shambolic defending from Wenger’s side leaving them helplessly exposed.

Petr Cech was having another nightmare between the sticks, and he allowed an effort from Glenn Murray to slip under his body in the 26th minute.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was able to pull one goal back before the break, before Arsenal struck the woodwork in pursuit of a leveller, but for many the damage had already been done.

Chris Burton