ARSENAL have drawn 1-1 with Brighton in the early Premier League kick-off.
Kai Havertz put Arsenal into the lead with a brilliant lob before Declan Rice was sent off after the break.
And Joao Pedro made it 1-1 minutes later, tapping home after David Raya saved from Yankuba Minteh.
- Kick-off time: 12:30pm BST
- Live stream: Discovery+
- TV channel: TNT Sports 1
- Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Ødegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Trossard
- Brighton XI: Verbruggen; Veltman, Dunk, Van Hecke, Hinshelwood; Baleba, Milner; Minteh, Joao Pedro, Mitoma; Welbeck
Follow ALL the action from the Emirates with our live blog below…
Match report
It may have been nervy and scrappy, but Arsenal’s summer transfer window ended in Deadline Day delight.
Yet with new signing Raheem Sterling watching on, Mikel Arteta’s Gunners made hard work of it on the pitch too – losing their 100 per cent winning start in the Premier League.
For all the bravery shown and problems caused by Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton, a routine Emirates win was on the cards after a lobbed Kai Havertz finish in the 38th minute.
But an uncharacteristic act of immaturity from Declan Rice earned him a second yellow in the 49th minute – his first red card in 245 Prem appearances.
Already on a caution for a reckless lunge on Joel Veltman just before the break, the same Brighton defender was the villain as his quick free-kick was nudged from its spot by Rice.
Veltman ended up following through on Rice who went down in a heap, but upon getting back to his feet was met with ref Chris Kavanagh’s red card.
Up next
It’s the international break!
But on their return to action it’s a hugely difficult run of fixtures for the Gunners – away to Tottenham and then Manchester City.
Brighton host Ipswich and then Nottingham Forest.
Arteta speaks on Rice’s red card
Mikel Arteta was short and snappy with his answers when speaking to TNT Sports.
He’s clearly livid with the referee and has slammed the consistency of the man in the middle’s performance.
He told TNT Sports: “We started the game really well. We scored the goal, 1-0. We started the second half really good but then there is the decision that changes the game completely.”
Asked about the explanation of the red card he was given, he replied: “None, like always.”
He then added: “If bookings happen throughout the game in a consistent way it is fine but it didn’t. It is the inconsistency.”
Rice misses the derby
Oh yeah, it’s been pointed out that Declan Rice will be watching from the stands when Arsenal go to their rivals after the break.
He’ll sit out Tottenham vs Arsenal but be back for the trip to the Etihad that follows.
Big blow.
Saka’s thoughts
Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka told Match Of The Day: “I thought it was a bit harsh for us. We just want some consistency.
“Joao Pedro booted the ball halfway across the pitch in the first half and got nothing for it and Dec got the slightest touch and was sent off.
“It is what it is, I dont want to put the whole game on the referee as we still had chances to win it.
“It has been a good start. Today is a disappointment but it is a long season.”
Where we stand
Brighton fans, you’re top of the table!
The two sides move joint-top of the table after the draw, with the Seagulls top on goals scored, for now anyway.
They both remain unbeaten too.
Rice’s red
More on that Declan Rice red card can be read on the SunSport website.
It’s certainly dividing opinion…
Immediate reaction
Lewis Dunk told TNT Sports: “We didn’t create enough chances when they went down to 10 men, but we will go away and look at it.
“We always believe we can win any game of football. We are in a good place and we know we can beat anybody.”
Match stats
The numbers behind the game with Brighton registering an incredible 22 efforts on goal in the game.
That 64% possession is wild too, though probably a little under what it felt like in the game.
FT: Arsenal 1-1 Brighton
Plenty going on, then as it ends a draw.
And it’ll feel like two points dropped – for Brighton.
Kai Havertz’s goal gave Arsenal the lead at half time before Joao Pedro’s second half equaliser earned the Seagulls a point.
In between that, Declan Rice was sent off for the first time in his career. More on that to come likely….
FULL TIME!
It ends all-square at the Emirates.
Arsenal 1-1 Brighton
96. Thomas Partey with another foul as Joao Pedro ran at the Arsenal box before being brought down.
He’s lucky Rice has already been sent off which spared him one there. Joao Pedro is booked for pointing that out.
Last chance for Brighton from a free kick on their left.
Arsenal 1-1 Brighton
95. David Raya is finally booked for time-wasting.
The Arsenal fans chant ‘you’re not fit to referee’ at Chris Kavanagh.
Arsenal 1-1 Brighton
94. Joao Pedro should score!!
He comes in off the right and beats Zinchenko who is on his heels but can’t header on goal, with Saliba putting it behind for another corner. Huge chance.
It’s taken short to Estupinan who smashes it over the bar in what was another shocker of a set piece.
Arsenal 1-1 Brighton
93. Too close to Raya again, who punches away.
Fabian Hürzeler has to be on the lookout for a new set-piece coach.
Arsenal 1-1 Brighton
93. Estupinan’s attempted cross is blocked behind for a corner by Ben White.
Arsenal 1-1 Brighton
CLOSE!
92. Baleba is almost in there but Raya races off his line to dive at his feet and claim.
Another 35 seconds killed by the Gunners as Raya takes his time.
Arsenal 1-1 Brighton
91. Joao Pedro goes down off the ball after a coming together with Gabriel.
Enciso is then the latest Brighton player with an abysmal delivery into the box, floating one to the back post.
Raya races off his line to claim it and is quite happy to lie on it for 12 seconds.
Arsenal 1-1 Brighton
SIX ADDED MINUTES FOR A WINNER HERE!
Arsenal 1-1 Brighton
88. Baleba with two thunderous efforts after Partey gave the ball away once again.
The midfielder smashes one goalward which crashes into the stomach of Gabriel before following up with another sizzler with flies well over.
Arsenal 1-1 Brighton
86. All Brighton again after the changes and the two Arsenal chances.
Rutter on the corner of the box slashes one well wide after Calafiori’s header away.
Arsenal 1-1 Brighton
85. Two more Brighton changes:
- OFF: Welbeck and Mitoma
- ON: Adingra and Enciso
Arsenal 1-1 Brighton
83. The answer is no. Van Hecke heads it behind and clashes heads with Rutter.
The two players stay down and look in some trouble holding their heads as the Arsenal fans cheer that unfolding.
Nasty collision but thankfully they both look OK to carry on.
Arsenal 1-1 Brighton
82. Mitoma again is away from White but the defender does exceptionally well on the stretch to knock it behind for a corner.
Can they make the most of this one?
Arsenal 1-1 Brighton
780. He’s not able to continue. Looks like a bit of cramp or a tight muscle.
- OFF: Timber
- ON: Zinchenko
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
