Philippa Kaur

MIKEL ARTETA has given a worrying injury update on Ethan Nwaneri.Nwaneri impressed during Arsenal’s 1-1 draw against Brighton.Ethan Nwaneri was subbed off against BrightonCredit: EPAMikel Arteta has given a worrying update on his fitnessCredit: GettyThe midfielder fired the Gunners into the lead in the first half with a composed finish past Bart Verbruggen.However, Arteta subbed him at the break despite being one of the better players.He had picked up a yellow card due to time-wasting for taking too long over a corner.The manager has now revealed that the teenager was withdrawn from the action due to injury.READ MORE ON ARSENALArteta admitted that it is “really bad news” as he insisted Nwaneri was suffering from “muscular issues”.He said: “Really bad news because I think we’ve lost him.”We had to take him off at half-time with some muscular issues.”After Nwaneri came off Arsenal looked a lot less threatening going forward and the Seagulls worked their way back into the game.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSJoao Pedro won and converted a penalty after a clash of heads with William Saliba to level the scores.Arteta also revealed his opinion on the decision to award the spot-kick.Mikel Arteta reveals Bukayo Saka is set to miss months after surgery as he gives injury update on Arsenal starHe fumed: “I’ve never seen a decision like this in my career.“I asked the boys, and they have never seen anything like it.”Arteta also admitted that he was disappointed that his side did not claim all three points.He said: “I’m disappointed because we wanted to win the game.”We started the game with good actions and a good goal. We knew it was going to be a challenging game.”We gave too many balls away in the second half and we’re very disappointed with the penalty.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I’ve never seen that in my life – and Saliba touches the ball. [It wasn’t one] for me, no.”We’re playing every three days. I understand how much we want to [win], but in terms of the quality and the consistency and doing the simple things right against a competitive team, we didn’t do enough today.”Arsenal player ratings: Ethan Nwaneri is perfect Bukayo Saka replacement but Gabriel Jesus goes missing against BrightonETHAN NWANERI was the brightest spark on the pitch as Arsenal lost further ground int he title race.SunSport’s Isabelle Barker has given her ratings for the Arsenal players…DAVID RAYA – 6The Spanish stopper didn’t have too much to deal with apart from Joao Pedro’s penalty which he went the wrong way for. He couldn’t have done too much about it though, it was a classy finish into the other corner.THOMAS PARTEY – 6Partey was ok to start with at right-back but the experiment still looked unconvincing in the second-half, with him struggling to handle Kaoru Mitoma when the Japanese international came on.WILLIAM SALIBA – 6The French centre-back was solid up until conceding the crucial penalty for dangerous play against Pedro in the box. If it had been a headbutt, Saliba would have been sent off, in fairness it looked as though he was going for the ball, and it was an unfortunate clash of heads.GABRIEL MAGALHAES – 5Started off solidly at the back but faded out with little answers for Brighton’s pressure towards the end.RICCARDO CALAFIORI – 7Calafiori was superb, particularly in the first half against Brighton, with the stats speaking for themselves. He won the most duels, completed the most take ons and most tackles. He also misplaced just one of his 22 passes.JORGINHO – 6The ex-Chelsea man struggled to receive the ball under pressure, nearly costing Arsenal a goal for the hosts. Generally looked too slow for the game this evening.MIKEL MERINO – 7The Spanish midfielder linked up beautifully with Rice for the opener, producing a lovely pass over the top for Nwaneri to latch onto. Merino faded out towards the end though, looking more sluggish and ponderous on the ball as the minutes went by.DECLAN RICE – 7The midfielder was the furthest forward, pressing the Brighton backline with Jesus and it worked at first.He took on the Odegaard role when Arsenal didn’t have possession. Was involved with first big chance with Jesus and then pulled the strings for Nwaneri’s opener.LEANDRO TROSSARD – 6The Brighton faithful were booing Trossard from the get go but he didn’t show up to silence them. The Belgian winger offered very little going forward.ETHAN NWANERI – 8So good from Nwaneri for the opener. He was involved in the build up with Rice and Merino then put on the afterburners to produce a charging run before slotting the ball into the bottom corner.What a good replacement Nwaneri has been for Bukayo Saka. He fits the bill with pace, body shape, and a lovely left foot.GABRIEL JESUS – 5The striker lashed a shot at Verbruggen for an early warning, but he was offside anyway, wasting the delicious through ball from Jorginho. Was virtually anonymous by the end and Arsenal won’t be able to win the league with a striker like that.SubstitutesMARTIN ODEGAARD – 6GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 6 More

ETHAN NWANERI was the brightest spark on the pitch as Arsenal lost further ground int he title race.Nwaneri continued to impress despite his tender age as he opened the scoring with a composed finish in the first half.Ethan Nwaneri shone brightest for Arsenal on the South CoastCredit: AlamyGabriel Jesus struggled against the SeagullsCredit: AFPHis goal could have been a winner if it was not for a Joao Pedro penalty in the second half.However, the same could not be said for striker Gabriel Jesus.The former Manchester City striker was anonymous against the Seagulls.Jesus’ previous flash of form would have come in handy to stop the Gunners dropping points on the road.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLSunSport’s Isabelle Barker has given her ratings for the Arsenal players…DAVID RAYA – 6The Spanish stopper didn’t have too much to deal with apart from Joao Pedro’s penalty which he went the wrong way for. He couldn’t have done too much about it though, it was a classy finish into the other corner. THOMAS PARTEY – 6Partey was ok to start with at right-back but the experiment still looked unconvincing in the second-half, with him struggling to handle Kaoru Mitoma when the Japanese international came on. WILLIAM SALIBA – 6The French centre-back was solid up until conceding the crucial penalty for dangerous play against Pedro in the box. If it had been a headbutt, Saliba would have been sent off, in fairness it looked as though he was going for the ball, and it was an unfortunate clash of heads. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSGABRIEL MAGALHAES – 5Started off solidly at the back but faded out with little answers for Brighton’s pressure towards the end. RICCARDO CALAFIORI – 7Calafiori was superb, particularly in the first half against Brighton, with the stats speaking for themselves. He won the most duels, completed the most take ons and most tackles. He also misplaced just one of his 22 passes. Granit Xhaka reveals reason for dramatic new look with ex-Arsenal star having undergone hair transplant JORGINHO – 6The ex-Chelsea man struggled to receive the ball under pressure, nearly costing Arsenal a goal for the hosts. Generally looked too slow for the game this evening. MIKEL MERINO – 7The Spanish midfielder linked up beautifully with Rice for the opener, producing a lovely pass over the top for Nwaneri to latch onto. Merino faded out towards the end though, looking more sluggish and ponderous on the ball as the minutes went by.DECLAN RICE – 7Declan Rice played an important role in the Arsenal goalCredit: GettyThe midfielder was the furthest forward, pressing the Brighton backline with Jesus and it worked at first.He took on the Odegaard role when Arsenal didn’t have possession. Was involved with first big chance with Jesus and then pulled the strings for Nwaneri’s opener.  LEANDRO TROSSARD – 6 The Brighton faithful were booing Trossard from the get go but he didn’t show up to silence them. The Belgian winger offered very little going forward.ETHAN NWANERI – 8So good from Nwaneri for the opener. He was involved in the build up with Rice and Merino then put on the afterburners to produce a charging run before slotting the ball into the bottom corner.What a good replacement Nwaneri has been for Bukayo Saka. He fits the bill with pace, body shape, and a lovely left foot.GABRIEL JESUS – 5The striker lashed a shot at Verbruggen for an early warning, but he was offside anyway, wasting the delicious through ball from Jorginho. Was virtually anonymous by the end and Arsenal won’t be able to win the league with a striker like that.READ MORE SUN STORIESSubstitutes MARTIN ODEGAARD – 6 GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 6 More

TEENAGE dreams – but for Arsenal, more title agony.Ethan Nwaneri, 17, became the first Gunners player to score multiple Prem goals before his 18th birthday with a fine 16th minute finish in a brutally cold south coast clash.Joao Pedro bagged a penalty to share the spoils on the south coastCredit: ReutersEthan Nwaneri was the bright spark for Arsenal as the teenager bagged the Gunners’ opener.Credit: GettyBut from there, Mikel Arteta watched his side’s performance – and their chances of catching league leaders Liverpool – slip away at the Amex following Joao Pedro’s 61st minute penalty.Back in August, the Seagulls nicked two points off Arsenal at the Emirates in a highly controversial 1-1 draw that saw Declan Rice sent off by referee Chris Kavanagh for ‘delaying the restart’.And yet more dropped points against Fabian Hurzeler’s men will leave Arteta just as seething – especially as Brighton striker Pedro avoided a ban last week for swinging an elbow at Brentford’s Yehor Yarmolyuk.William Saliba’s head contact with Pedro in the box appeared to be a fair challenge until ref Anthony Taylor made a potentially title-defining decision.READ MORE ON ARSENALIt leaves Arsenal five points off Arne Slot’s Reds having played TWO games more. The North Londoners truly need something special to happen to claw this back.Brighton meanwhile continue to reign as kings of level-pegging – winless now in their last eight Prem games but in six of them they have won a point, with 10 draws in total this term.Nwaneri earned a second successive Prem start, but there were changes around him.Rice, Jorginho and Leandro Trossard started while Thomas Partey was at right back in place of the suspended Jurrien Timber.Most read in FootballWilliam Saliba mistimed his header and clashed heads with Joao Pedro in the boxCredit: Sky SportsVAR deemed the clash of heads to be a penaltyCredit: GettyPedro confidently dispatched the spot-kickCredit: GettyFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSDespite suggesting he was now well enough to feature, Arteta left Kai Havertz out yet again after the German missed the 3-1 victory at Brentford with a sickness bug.Skipper Martin Odegaard featured against the Bees despite also suffering from the illness, so sat on the bench for this one, alongside Gabriel Martinelli.Mikel Arteta reveals Bukayo Saka is set to miss months after surgery as he gives injury update on Arsenal starRotation is the name of the game for Arteta with nine games in four different competitions to contend with this month.Yet the significance of this one could not be overstated, needing to pile some form of pressure on leaders Liverpool with Prem bouts coming thick and fast in the New Year.Arsenal were back in their bold black strip, one that Arteta likes. The Spaniard believes it strikes fear into opposition players on their own patch, and the Gunners began menacingly.For all the changes in personnel, the visitors were sharp and silky on the ball with Trossard at the heart of it, serenaded by a chorus of boos on his old stomping ground.In-form Brazilian Gabriel Jesus was then slipped in by a crafty Jorginho pick-out.He may have six in his last four in all competitions, but Jesus’ shot was blocked by the legs of Bart Verbruggen before the offside flag was raised.Arsenal were comfortable, but so were Brighton, galloping off on the occasional counter before retreating back in a hurry.With Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel watching on, a spark was needed, and Arsenal got it from their two Englishmen Rice and Nwaneri, combining with some lovely, fluid runs down the right.Ethan Nwaneri tucked away a confident opener for ArsenalCredit: GettyNwaneri then popped up in space, found by Mikel Merino, driving towards goal and scurrying a finish under the body of Verbruggen.It was his fifth goal so far this term, and now just the sixth player to score more than once in the Prem before turning 18, alongside the likes of Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen and James Milner.If anyone had any doubts over whether this kid is ready for the big time, they have been silenced for good it seems.And what a time to do it with Tuchel watching on. The Enfield-born Hale End prodigy has plied his trade in the U16s, U17s and U19s for England so far. Is another step up now on the cards?Arsenal looked relieved to have found the opener, but then became nervy. David Raya came to the rescue as Jorginho fluffed an overhead kick in his own box.Brighton sensed an opening. Simon Adingra blazed over a glorious chance after another sloppy bit of play from Jorginho.With the game turning gritty, Arsenal turned to their corner prowess, but their opponents had done their homework. Gabriel was double-teamed and then hauled to the ground by Matt O’Riley.It was from another corner that youngling Nwaneri picked up a yellow card for timewasting, the dark arts not going unpunished this time.Arsenal player ratings: Ethan Nwaneri is perfect Bukayo Saka replacement but Gabriel Jesus goes missing against BrightonETHAN NWANERI was the brightest spark on the pitch as Arsenal lost further ground int he title race.SunSport’s Isabelle Barker has given her ratings for the Arsenal players…DAVID RAYA – 6The Spanish stopper didn’t have too much to deal with apart from Joao Pedro’s penalty which he went the wrong way for. He couldn’t have done too much about it though, it was a classy finish into the other corner.THOMAS PARTEY – 6Partey was ok to start with at right-back but the experiment still looked unconvincing in the second-half, with him struggling to handle Kaoru Mitoma when the Japanese international came on.WILLIAM SALIBA – 6The French centre-back was solid up until conceding the crucial penalty for dangerous play against Pedro in the box. If it had been a headbutt, Saliba would have been sent off, in fairness it looked as though he was going for the ball, and it was an unfortunate clash of heads.GABRIEL MAGALHAES – 5Started off solidly at the back but faded out with little answers for Brighton’s pressure towards the end.RICCARDO CALAFIORI – 7Calafiori was superb, particularly in the first half against Brighton, with the stats speaking for themselves. He won the most duels, completed the most take ons and most tackles. He also misplaced just one of his 22 passes.JORGINHO – 6The ex-Chelsea man struggled to receive the ball under pressure, nearly costing Arsenal a goal for the hosts. Generally looked too slow for the game this evening.MIKEL MERINO – 7The Spanish midfielder linked up beautifully with Rice for the opener, producing a lovely pass over the top for Nwaneri to latch onto. Merino faded out towards the end though, looking more sluggish and ponderous on the ball as the minutes went by.DECLAN RICE – 7The midfielder was the furthest forward, pressing the Brighton backline with Jesus and it worked at first.He took on the Odegaard role when Arsenal didn’t have possession. Was involved with first big chance with Jesus and then pulled the strings for Nwaneri’s opener.LEANDRO TROSSARD – 6The Brighton faithful were booing Trossard from the get go but he didn’t show up to silence them. The Belgian winger offered very little going forward.ETHAN NWANERI – 8So good from Nwaneri for the opener. He was involved in the build up with Rice and Merino then put on the afterburners to produce a charging run before slotting the ball into the bottom corner.What a good replacement Nwaneri has been for Bukayo Saka. He fits the bill with pace, body shape, and a lovely left foot.GABRIEL JESUS – 5The striker lashed a shot at Verbruggen for an early warning, but he was offside anyway, wasting the delicious through ball from Jorginho. Was virtually anonymous by the end and Arsenal won’t be able to win the league with a striker like that.SubstitutesMARTIN ODEGAARD – 6GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 6It is likely why Arteta subbed off his goal scorer at the break for Martinelli, not that it swung momentum back Arsenal’s way. If anything, the opposite.A messy performance bit them on the backside in the 59th minute as Saliba’s head made contact with that of Joao Pedro’s. Anthony Taylor took a long look at it before pointing to the spot.VAR deemed “sufficient contact” had been made. Arteta disagreed. Either way, it resulted in Pedro sending Raya the wrong way in front of a jubilant home support.Desperation crept in. Odegaard was flung on to seize the moment, no matter how worse for wear he felt, but it was Brighton pushing with intent, as if they were the ones chasing the title.READ MORE SUN STORIESAdingra should have converted with a pulsating run and ball across goal. Kaoru Mitoma was inches away from tapping in at the far post.A few wasted free-kicks later, Arsenal trudged off with defeat in their mouths. Next week’s Carabao Cup semi-final suddenly feels very big. More