Warren Aspinall criticised Arsenal transfer target Kaoru Mitoma as Brighton & Hove Albion beat Crystal Palace 1-0 on Wednesday. He felt the winger often lost possession ‘too easily’.
The Seagulls edged the M23 derby thanks to Solly March’s 15th-minute goal which Mitoma assisted. Roberto De Zerbi’s squad stayed seventh in the table with the result while Patrick Vieira’s team remained in 12th. But the Eagles are only three points clear of the drop zone.
Brighton remain in the mix to qualify for a European competition with 13 games remaining this term, as well. They have a fixture in hand over Liverpool in sixth and only trail the Reds on goal difference. Tottenham in fourth have also played two more for a further six points.
Mitoma continued his remarkable run of form to help Brighton beat Crystal Palace
Mitoma found March to secure Brighton’s win over Crystal Palace with an incisive pass. He charged into the centre of the field before slotting the forward in down the middle. March produced a precise strike to pick out Premier League debutant Joe Whitworth’s far corner.
The assist marked Mitoma’s fourth across 20 top-flight appearances so far this season. The 25-year-old also now has one assist in each of his past three outings. But he could not add to his six goals with four struck in 2023. Mitoma has only started in 13 of his appearances.
Arsenal are interested in securing a transfer for Mitoma this summer
Mitoma’s sublime run of form since the start of 2023, and scoring against Arsenal on New Year’s Eve, has also merited interest in the Brighton winger from the Emirates Stadium for a potential transfer. Calciomercato cites their admiration plus a €35m (£31m) asking price.
Arsenal also explored a transfer for Mitoma in January but felt Leandro Trossard was more likely to leave Brighton, per 90min. The Belgian would head from the south coast to north London for £20m, plus up to £7m with add-ons. Yet Mikel Arteta remains a fan of Mitoma.
Aspinall criticised the Japan winger’s ball retention in the M23 derby
Former Brighton striker Aspinall was critical of Mitoma’s ball retention while Brighton beat Crystal Palace, though. He felt the Japan winger turned over possession too easily at times. Even though SofaScore only recorded the 13-cap star as losing the ball on eight occasions.
“Palace are looking dangerous but it’s down to Brighton being sloppy,” Aspinall told BBC Sussex. “Mitoma is giving the ball away too easily. He hasn’t been on it tonight.”
Nine Brighton players lost possession more often than Arsenal transfer target Mitoma did against Crystal Palace. Joel Veltman (18) turned over the ball more often than any player for either side. Gunners loanee Albert Sambi Lokonga also lost it nine times for the Eagles.
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