Arsenal failed to win a Premier League game for the first time this season as a controversial red card followed by a Brighton equaliser cancelled out Kai Havertz’s opener
Following on from a busy deadline day which saw Aaron Ramsdale depart and Reiss Nelson leave on loan, with AFC Bournemouth keeper Neto and Chelsea outcast Raheem Sterling join the Gunners, Mikel Arteta’s team faced a Brighton side in N5 that like them, won both of their opening Premier League fixtures. The Gunners manager made one change to the side that impressively won 0-2 away at Villa Park the previous weekend, with former Brighton man Leandro Trossard coming in to start on the left-side of the attack with Gabriel Martinelli taking the Belgian’s spot on the bench.
Arsenal showed their intent early on, with Bukayo Saka in particualr looking dangerous on the right wing up against Brighton youngster Jack Hinshelwood, and the winger played a excellent one-two with captain Martin Odegaard however the effort was weak and easy for goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen to smother.
Following their early pressure, Brighton began to grow into the game and see more of the ball, however Arsenal once again showed their strength out of possession as David Raya remained fairly untroubled. The visitors best chance coming from Japanese international Kaoru Mitoma who saw a half volley flash wide of Raya’s left post. Arsenal needed a goal before half-time and thats what they got on the 36th minute as Saka played through Havertz who superbly lobbed the ball over the oncoming Verbruggen to give Mikel Arteta’s side the lead and settle some Emirates Stadium nerves as the Gunners went into the break fairly comfortably in the lead.
However, things took a dramatic turn in the opening minutes of the second half as Declan Rice was suddenly sent off by referee Chris Kavangah for a second yellow card offence, the official deeming the Arsenal man had kicked the ball away following a Brighton free-kick. However, replays showed the ball happened to be moving when Rice lightly touched the ball away from Brighton defender Joel Veltman, despite the fact Seagulls forward Joao Pedro had not received any punishment for booting the ball away in the first half.
Emirates Stadium was stunned and Mikel Arteta was furious, Rice missing the North London Derby as a result of the red card suddenly became a big issue, however the bigger and immediate issue was the fact Arsenal had to try and defend onto their 1-0 lead with ten men for the majority of the second half and added time. Brighton hadn’t registered a shot on target prior to the sending off, however fifteen minutes after Rice;s dismissal, they would find an equaliser through Joao Pedro. Danny Welbeck was sent through on goal and despite Raya making an initial save to deny Welbeck, the rebound fell kindly to Pedro who had the simple task of tapping home and wiping out Arsenal’s lead.
WIth them being one-man short and now no lead to defend with still thirty minutes of normal time to play, Arsenal needed to dig deep in order to secure any form of result. And the defence held firm as Brighton began to inevitably dominate the majority of the possession. However, it would still be Arsenal who would have the best chances. Havertz brought down a long ball and did excellently to muscle off a Brighton defender and set himself through on goal, however Verbruggen pulled off a good save. And not too long after that it was Havertz who would play a cross low into the Brighton penalty area to Saka who streched but couldn’t get the power necessary to get the ball past the keeper.
Despite the visitors best efforts, Arsenal held firm to claim a point which considering the circumstances, has to be seen as a positive. However Mikel Arteta will be thinking about those missed chances and the fact record signing Rice will not be available for the North London Derby following the international break. Which alongside a shoulder injury to new signing Mikel Merino, leaves the Gunners light in midfield for the short trip to Tottenham.
Player Ratings:
David Raya: 8. – Another strong performance from Raya who made two excellent saves and claimed everything that came his way
Ben White: 8 – Key in the 2nd half as he was strong defensively up against the dangerous Mitoma and Adingra
William Saliba: 7 – Solid for most of the game but perhaps left too big a gap to allow Welbeck through for the goal
Gabriel: 7 – Same as Saliba
Jurrien TImber: 7 – Was everywhere at times and was solid defensively
Thomas Partey: 6 – Had some moments where he got caught in possession but mostly kept things moving ok
Martin Odegaard: 6 – Not the best showing from the captain consideirng his lofty standards. Picked up an early knock which clearly affected his performance
Declan Rice: 5 – Not much blame can be put on him but the facts are the Englishman received a red card which cost Arsenal
Bukayo Saka: 8 – Another great assist for the starboy who was dangerous all day
Kai Havertz: 8 – Scored again and led the line superbly in difficult circumstances. However both him and Saka will be rueing those missed chances…
Leandro Trossard: 6 – Came into the side however wasn’t hugely effective