ARSENAL were held to a draw at Brighton as they failed to close the gap on Liverpool.
Teenager Ethan Nwaneri, 17, scored an early goal for the Gunners but Mikel Arteta’s side struggled to create chances.
Brighton picked up yet another point – this was their sixth draw in eight matches – after Joao Pedro slotted home a penalty after a bizarre head collision with Gabriel.
Earlier, Chelsea suffered yet another slip up at Crystal Palace, while out-of-form Tottenham were beaten 2-1 by Newcastle, Manchester City thrashed West Ham and Brentford piled more misery on Southampton.
FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS
Follow our live blog below…
Mikel bitter with penalty decision
Mikel Arteta immediately went over to confront the officials at the full-time whistle.
No doubt he will be telling them that it was never a penalty that was awarded to the hosts.
If this was the case, he may need his medication altered as Saliba headbutted Joao Pedro, whichever way you look at it.
Credit: EPA Gunners have it all to do
Arsenal are now five points behind leaders Liverpool.
They have some tough games coming up and cannot afford to drop points if they want to stay in touch.
Mikel Arteta will see this as two points dropped today.
Premier League full-time scores
Tottenham 1-2 Newcastle
Bournemouth 0-0 Everton
Aston Villa 2-1 Leicester
Crystal Palace 1-1 Chelsea
Man City 4-1 West Ham
Southampton 0-5 Brentford
Brighton 1-1 Arsenal
FT: Brighton 1-1 Arsenal
Igor Julio put in a stellar performance for his team today.
He managed to dominate the Arsenal centre midfield and link play for The Seagulls.
His evening was ended by injury but by that time, his work was done.
FT: Brighton 1-1 Arsenal
The Seagulls probably edged this game over the course of the match.
Fabian Hurzeler’s side had a big chance to win it when Minteh wasted the opportunity.
Mitoma was completely unmarked on the back post wating to convert.
FT: Brighton 1-1 Arsenal
The referee brings the game to a close.
Two points dropped for The Gunners.
Arsenal just did not have enough creativity tonight.
Brighton 1-1 Arsenal
90+4. Ayari is booked for a clumsy foul.
Rice stands over the free-kick.
This may be a last chance for The Gunners.
Brighton 1-1 Arsenal
90+2. Trossard tries to shoot from distance.
It sails over the crossbar.
Time is running out for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Brighton 1-1 Arsenal
90. Martinelli is blocked from advancing.
As you can imagine, he hits the floor and stays down like his career is over.
Once he realises there is not going to be a free-kick he makes a miraculous recovery.
We are going to have six added minutes.
Brighton 1-1 Arsenal
88. Rice lifts a ball into the Brighton box.
Partey has a free-header but sends it sailing over the bar.
Calafiori is finally shown a yellow card after about ten fouls committed.
Brighton 1-1 Arsenal
86. Brighton have The Gunnners pinned back in their own half.
The problem for The Seagulls is still that final pass.
If they had an Odegaard-type player they would be leading comfortably by now.
Credit: Getty Brighton 1-1 Arsenal
84. Merino is penalised for a foul on Georginio.
It was a blatant foul as the player was away from him.
Chance for Brighton to ask some questions of Raya.
Brighton 1-1 Arsenal
82.Minteh is shown a yellow card by Taylor.
It was more for his reacted than a challenge at all.
He was not happy that he was not awarded a free kick for the pressure being put on him by Gabriel.
Brighton 1-1 Arsenal
80. Brighton are wasting key moments far too much.
At times they seem like their players are not even on the same wavelength.
Minteh played a cross come shot heavily across the box earlier when it seemed a goal was certain.
he had teammates queuing up to put it in at the time.
Brighton 1-1 Arsenal
78. Jesus looks to run at the Brighton defence.
Fortunately for the hosts, the defender reads it well and robs him of the ball.
Rice tries his luck from distance but it is an easy save for Verbruggen.
Brighton 1-1 Arsenal
76. A loose pass gifts the ball to Pedro.
He holds it up until Estupinan comes on the overlap.
He looks to lift a ball into the box but it is easily held by Raya.
Credit: Getty Brighton 1-1 Arsenal
74. Calafiori is penalised for yet another foul.
That is about four or five during the game now, yet the referee still does not produce a card.
Maybe Anthony Taylor is too in awe of his long flowing locks.
Brighton 1-1 Arsenal
72. Rice takes another corner with a visible tactic in mind.
They keep holding a deep one up to the back post.
Verbruggen and comes to collect with ease.
Brighton 1-1 Arsenal
70. We are into the final quarter of the game now.
Arsenal seem to have a bit more urgency about their attacking.
Pedro plays it to Mitoma and is fouled late by Partey but the referee does not produce a card.
Brighton 1-1 Arsenal
68. Brighton’s best form of defending their goal right now seems to be putting Arsenal under some pressure.
VAR continues to be not fit for purpose.
As the penalty was being taken, Jorginho lashed out an opponent with a kick.
It was reviewed and cleared as he missed the player and did not make contact.
Brighton 1-1 Arsenal
66. Igor limps off to be replaced Webster.
It seems the defender has pulled a hamstring.
Raya sends the ball downfield with a long punt.
Brighton 1-1 Arsenal
64. Veltman is booked for a heavy challenge on Jesus.
Odegaard comes on for Jorginho.
The Gunners can ill-afford to drop any points here.
Credit: AFP Brighton 1-1 Arsenal
62. Brighton bring on Mitoma for Adingra.
Arteta seems to be breaking the emergency glass on the box he keeps Odegaard in.
This should pick up the intensity of the game now.
Goal – Joao Pedro (Brighton)
Brighton 0-1 Arsenal
60. The penalty is upheld by a VAR review.
To be fair it was never in doubt, Saliba headbutted Pedro.
Chance for the hosts to draw level.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
