Ethan Nwaneri scored his second Premier League goal in as many starts in the competition, but Arsenal could only draw at the AMEX Stadium in what was a pretty stale affair.
The sickness bug that has been going around the Arsenal camp lately was still very much affecting Mikel Arteta’s side, with Kai Havertz out of the squad again. Captain Martin Odegaard was also struggling with illness and was on the bench, with Jorginho, Declan Rice and Mikel Merino completed the Gunners midfield. Thomas Partey started at right-back in the absence of Jurrien Timber as the Dutch defender was suspended due to picking up five yellow cards.
Despite the game starting slowly, Arsenal would find an early lead through their seventeen year-old star. Some great passing football from the Gunners saw Merino play a ball over the top of the Brighton defence for Nwaneri to run on to, and the youngster ran towards goal with the ball at his feet and found the net with his low shot. The goal was his 5th in all competitions, with his two Premier League strikes adding to the three he has in this season’s Carabao Cup. However, Nwaneri was forced off at half-time due to a suspected muscle issue.
Arsenal managed the rest of the first half well, not creating too many clear chances, somewhat expected due to the lack of creative players out on the pitch for Arteta’s team, but were in control of the game. Brighton’s Simon Adringra had a great chance to equalise before half-time as the ball fell to him in the Arsenal penalty area, but the Ivioran struck his effort wide of Raya’s post.
The second half saw Nwaneri replaced by Gabriel Martinelli, with Georginho Rutter and Yankuba Minteh coming on for the home side. And whilst Arsenal’s control remained for the opening stages of the second period, Brighton would be awarded a penalty on the hour mark. Referee Anthony Taylor judged William Saliba to have fouled Seagulls forward Joao Pedro when both players went to head the ball for a 50/50 challenge. The Brazilian quickly recovered from the offense and scored calmy past Raya to equalise the game.
As the second half drew on, Arsenal began to look more and more leggy. Chances became few and far between, with the best for the away side coming from a Declan Rice free-kick, the midfielder sent a low delivery into the Brighton box and the ball went just adrift of Mikel Merino who couldn’t quite find a necessary touch.
Brighton failed to properly test Raya, but had a big chance of their own as a low cross from Minteh flashed across the Arsenal penalty area. Arsenal tried to find a winner in the closing stages but it wasn’t enough and the points were shared, a result which surely puts any remaining Arsenal titel hopes away with Liverpool set to pull ahead.
A huge game for Arsenal awaits in just a few days however, as the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final versus Newcastle United awaits.
Player Ratings:
David Raya: 6 – Not much to do, swept out and claimed crosses well a number of times
Thomas Partey: 6 – Did struggle at times defensively but did ok out of position
William Saliba: 8 – Arsenal’s best player. Yet another superb performance from Arsenal’s number two, penalty decision very harsh against the Frenchman
Gabriel: 6 – Relatively solid
Riccardo Calafiori: 7 – Solid all day, strong showing after struggling a bit vs Brentford
Jorginho: 5 – A poor showing from Jorginho who looked off the pace and was caught on the ball at times
Declan Rice: 6 – Looked to drive Arsenal forward and did ok
Mikel Merino: 6 – Great assist but looked off the pace as the game went on
Ethan Nwaneri: 7 – Scored a great goal but unfortunately forced off at half-time
Gabriel Jesus: 5 – Just wasn’t seen much in what would have been a disappointing afternoon for arsenal’s in form striker
Leandro Trossard: 5 – Ineffective against his former club