LONDON – Arsenal’s title hopes took a hit on Saturday as they were held to a contentious 1-1 draw against Brighton at the Emirates Stadium. The match was overshadowed by the controversial sending off of Declan Rice, marking the midfielder’s first-ever Premier League red card.
The Gunners took the lead through Kai Havertz’s well-taken strike in the first half, giving Mikel Arteta’s side the advantage as they looked to maintain their perfect start to the season. However, the match took a dramatic turn after the interval when Rice was dismissed in a bizarre incident.
Rice, who had already been booked, received a second yellow card for gently kicking the ball away and not retreating quickly enough after fouling Brighton’s Joel Veltman. The decision left Rice visibly stunned, while Arteta was seen demanding an explanation from the fourth official. Arsenal fans voiced their displeasure, chanting “you’re not fit to referee” at Chris Kavanagh, the match official.
The Premier League later clarified that Rice was sent off for “delaying the restart.” However, since it was a yellow card offense, VAR was unable to intervene, leaving Arsenal to play with ten men for the remainder of the match.
Brighton capitalized on their numerical advantage, equalizing through Joao Pedro in the 58th minute. Dunk’s precise pass found Yankuba Minteh, whose shot was parried by David Raya into Pedro’s path, allowing the Brighton forward to score from close range. This goal not only ended Arsenal’s hopes of a third consecutive victory but also marked the first time they conceded this season.
The draw leaves Arsenal two points adrift of the top spot, a setback in their quest to win their first league title since 2004. The Gunners will also be without Rice for their next match, a crucial North London derby against Tottenham on September 15.
Meanwhile, Brighton extended their unbeaten run under new manager Fabian Hurzeler to three games, building on their impressive 2-1 win over Manchester United last weekend. The Seagulls showed resilience and tactical discipline, particularly in the second half.
In other news, Arsenal’s recent loan signing, Raheem Sterling, watched the match from the stands. Sterling, who joined from Chelsea on deadline day, wasn’t registered in time to play but received a warm welcome from the Arsenal faithful during a stadium announcement.
The game had started with Arsenal on the front foot, with Bukayo Saka tormenting Brighton’s defense and forcing multiple saves from Bart Verbruggen. Ben White and Martin Odegaard also tested the Brighton goalkeeper as Arsenal looked to assert their dominance.
Havertz’s 38th-minute goal, a composed chip over Verbruggen after a clever assist from Saka, seemed to put Arsenal on course for victory. However, the Gunners’ inability to convert further chances, coupled with Rice’s dismissal, ultimately allowed Brighton to snatch a point.
Despite the disappointment, Arsenal managed to hold on for the draw, with Raya making crucial saves in the final minutes to deny Brighton a winner. As the dust settles on this dramatic encounter, Arteta’s men will need to regroup quickly ahead of the challenges that lie ahead.
Source: AFP