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.
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Rice stumbled down the tunnel with a look of frustration and embarrassment – he knew that could end up being a pivotal, costly moment in a title race where every mistake is punished.
And Arsenal held on for a mere nine minutes before the Seagulls broke the resistance – Joao Pedro tapping in a rebound from David Raya’s reaction stop.
Sterling has left a right madhouse in Chelsea – for this season at least – but was treated to a real barmy game that must have brought back some Stamford Bridge flashbacks.
This is an untimely setback for Arsenal and Arteta – with Rice now set to miss a tasty North London Derby clash at Tottenham after the international break with title rivals Manchester City to follow.
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And with another new boy Mikel Merino crocked for weeks with a shoulder injury, there are also concerns over Jurrien Timber and Martin Odegaard – both subbed off with knocks.
After a post-match moan about his lack of starting opportunities, Leandro Trossard got his wish – in for Gabriel Martinelli off the left – in the only change for Arsenal.
Hurzeler switched things up in goal with Jason Steele dropping out for Bart Verbruggen and Carlos Baleba in for Billy Gilmour after finalising his Serie A move to Napoli.
Perhaps the majority of Arteta’s squad were up late keeping an eye on Sterling’s 1am announcement, because their start was clunky to say the least.
Combined with Brighton taking the game to the wannabe champions of England and Arsenal were struggling to get a grip of this game.
Yet the visitors gave them a helping hand by playing themselves into trouble. Jack Hinshelwood dragged Bukayo Saka down just outside the box and came close from the free-kick.
Saka continued to torment Hinshelwood down the right with his lightning reactions on and off the ball, and should have done better with a delivery across the box for Havertz.
But this Brighton lot are fearless. Kaoru Mitoma nutmegged and zipped past Ben White with a far-post delivery that was met by Yankuba Minteh.
Fearless Brighton
The game remained disjointed. James Milner hobbled off through injury and Odegaard required treatment for a bruiser from Danny Welbeck.
And just after Mitoma volleyed wide from a poor Havertz header in his own box, the German international was up the other end chipping Verbruggen and shushing the away end.
It came from a Timber up and under that Saka somehow beat and outmuscled Lewis Dunk to before feeding Havertz for his second goal of the campaign – both coming at home.
Tensions were hitting boiling point in the aftermath. Rice’s piledriver on Veltman did not help with Hurzeler also being booked for his remonstrations.
Arsenal ratings vs Brighton
ARSENAL drew 1-1 with Brighton in a game that turned when Declan Rice was sent off for a daft second booking.
Here, we take a look at how the players rated…
David Raya – 6/10
Initially had very little to do but was solid on the few occasions he was called upon. Denied Yankuba Minteh in the first half with a routine save.
Stopped his side from going 2-1 down in the 75th minute, brilliantly saving Yasin Ayari’s shot at a largely open goal.
Ben White – 6
Spent large portions of the match in the Brighton half supporting Saka.
Was solid defensively against the tricky Karou Mitoma.
William Saliba – 6
Continues to show an incredible ability to read the game and positional awareness. Thwarted the few Brighton attacks which managed to make their way into the box before Rice’s red.
Gabriel – 5
Marshalled the defence well with Saliba but seldom found himself in a one-on-one situation before Rice’s red. Was too far apart from the Frenchman in the build-up to Brighton’s equaliser.
Jurrien Timber – 6
Switched off and allowed Minteh to ghost in behind him for a header early in the first half but was solid after that lapse in concentration.
Martin Odegaard – 7
Was at the centre of everything good the Gunners did, pulling the strings from the first minute of the match.
Should’ve put his side ahead in the 17th minute when he ghosted onto a cross into the box.
Thomas Partey – 6
Anchored the midfield well and showed new signing Mikel Merino that he won’t give up his place in the starting XI without a fight.
Declan Rice – 4
Tenacious on the left side of the midfield and was a threat going forward in the first half.
Stupidly put his team under pressure just after the restart by getting himself sent off for kicking the ball away.
Bukayo Saka – 7
Was lively from the outset, tormenting Seagulls left-back Jack Hinshelwood every time he ran at him.
Should have scored in the eighth minute when Odeegard beautifully teed him up for a close-range effort.
Made up for his poor finish with a stellar assist for Havertz after bullying Lewis Dunk off the ball. Should’ve got a better connection on Havertz’s 77th-minute cross to restore the North Londoners’ lead.
Kai Havertz – 8
Was anonymous for large portions of the match but constantly made his brilliant runs in behind which created space for his team-mates.
Produced a deft finish over the advancing Bart Verbruggen in the 37th minute to break the deadlock.
But he missed a sitter in the 75th minute that would’ve restored his side’s advantage.
Leandro Trossard – 6
Struggled to get into the match against his former club and cut a frustrated figure on the left wing.
But he produced a good save from Verbruggen just before the half-time interval.
Subs
Riccardo Calafiori – 6
The Italian was thrown on to shore up the defence after Rice’s red card and did just that, as well as offering an outlet on the left wing.
Gabriel Martinelli – 5
Tried his best but failed to inject his usual energy into the game.
Oleksandr Zinchenko – 5
The Ukranian was brought on to further bolster the struggling defence but almost cost his side the game in stoppage time by allowing Carlos Baleba a free header in the box.
And after Rice received his marching orders, Arteta’s meticulous tactical nature appeared to be thrown into the wind. His team were disorganised, frantic and impatient.
It is as if this group had never prepared for a red card scenario – and it showed with Brighton’s equaliser as Dunk was allowed to send a long pass through the spine of Arsenal.
Minteh raced clear, bouncing off Gabriel, stopped by the palms of Raya but finished off by Pedro – something the Spanish keeper will feel he could have dealt with better.
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And still, Arsenal could and should have won this game. Two chances in the space of two minutes were wasted from Havertz and Saka.
Havertz was clean through in the 75th minute but his tame finish clipped the feet of Verbruggen. His low cross two minutes later was more accurate but Saka’s lunge was not.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
