Arsenal’s perfect start to the Premier League season came to an abrupt end on Saturday as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Brighton at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners’ eight-game winning streak was brought to an end by a controversial red card shown to Declan Rice, who was dismissed in the 49th minute for seemingly nudging the ball away from Joel Veltman as the Brighton player prepared to take a quick free-kick.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was left fuming at what he called inconsistent refereeing, highlighting that similar offenses went unpunished earlier in the game. “I was amazed. Amazed, amazed, amazed, because of how inconsistent decisions can be,” Arteta said. He argued that the referee, Chris Kavanagh, should have also issued a red card to Veltman for kicking Rice from behind in the process, arguing that by the law of the game, if one red card was warranted, the other should have been too.
Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka echoed his manager’s sentiments, pointing to Pedro, who escaped without a booking for booting the ball away forcefully in the first half to prevent Arsenal taking a quick throw-in. “We just want some consistency,” Saka said. “Joao Pedro booted the ball halfway across the pitch in the first half and got nothing for it and Dec got the slightest touch and was sent off.”
The sending off turned the tide of the match completely. Brighton capitalized on their numerical advantage, with Joao Pedro equalizing in the 58th minute after David Raya had saved a shot from Yankuba Minteh. Arsenal had taken the lead in the 38th minute through Kai Havertz, who expertly lobbed the ball over Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen. Havertz had another opportunity to restore Arsenal’s lead in the 74th minute but his shot was saved.
Despite being reduced to 10 men, Arsenal pushed for a winner in the closing stages, with Saka coming close after meeting a cross from Havertz. However, his lunging effort did not trouble Verbruggen. The draw brought an end to Brighton’s winning start to the season as well, with both sides now having six points from their opening three games.
The result presents an opportunity for defending champions Manchester City to move to the top of the Premier League standings. City face West Ham in their late kickoff on Saturday. Meanwhile, Liverpool, who also have six points from two games, will be looking to make a statement against Manchester United on Sunday.
