Arsenal’s unbeaten start to the Premier League season came to a halt on Saturday as they drew 1-1 with Brighton at the Emirates Stadium. The match was overshadowed by a controversial red card issued to Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice, who was dismissed for delaying the restart after committing a foul on Brighton’s Joel Veltman.
The Gunners had taken the lead through Kai Havertz in the 38th minute. Havertz, often criticized for his inconsistency last season, showed composure and quality to chip the ball over Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen after a clever pass from Bukayo Saka.
However, the game took a dramatic turn in the 49th minute when Rice received a second yellow card for kicking the ball away and not retreating promptly after conceding a foul on Veltman. The decision sparked outrage from Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and the fans, who chanted their frustration towards referee Chris Kavanagh. The Premier League later confirmed that Rice’s dismissal was due to ‘delaying the restart’ and that the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) could not intervene as the decision involved a yellow card, not a straight red card.
Playing with ten men, Arsenal struggled to maintain their dominance. Brighton capitalized on their numerical advantage in the 58th minute when Joao Pedro equalized. A superb pass from Lewis Dunk split the Arsenal defense, allowing Yankuba Minteh to break free and force a save from David Raya. Pedro was on hand to fire home the rebound, marking the first goal conceded by Arsenal this season.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Arsenal still created chances to regain the lead. Havertz came close with a low shot that was saved by Verbruggen, and Saka’s sliding effort was also denied.
The draw brought Arsenal’s winning streak to an end after victories over Wolves and Aston Villa. It also presented a setback in their bid to win the Premier League title for the first time since 2004. Rice’s suspension means he will miss Arsenal’s crucial North London derby against Tottenham on September 15.
Meanwhile, Brighton extended their unbeaten run to three games under new manager Fabian Hurzeler. Their recent 2-1 win against Manchester United was followed by another solid performance, highlighting their potential under the new manager.
New Arsenal signing Raheem Sterling, who joined on loan from Chelsea, was present at the match but was unable to play due to registration restrictions. Despite being unable to play, he received a warm reception from the Arsenal fans when his name was announced in the stadium.
The match was an exciting affair, full of drama and controversy. Arsenal will be looking to bounce back from this setback and secure a win in the upcoming North London derby. Brighton, on the other hand, will be aiming to continue their impressive form and build momentum for the rest of the season.
