Rice sees red as Gunners drop points

Arsenal could not maintain their 100% winning start to the new Premier League season as they drew 1-1 with Brighton at home.

The Gunners overcame their first obstacle away at Aston Villa last weekend and were looking to keep their momentum going on a return to the Emirates Stadium.

After a few early chances, Kai Havertz netted the opener in the first half, looping the ball over an onrushing Bart Verbruggen, his second goal of the season.

Chaos ensued in the second half when Declan Rice was sent off for delaying the restart, despite being completely wiped out by Joel Veltman.

And it did not take long for Brighton to equalise through Joao Pedro, who followed up on Yankuba’s initial strike.

Brighton remained on the front foot, but could not find a breakthrough despite their dominance in the second half.

🔵⚪️ @OfficialBHAFC fight back against 10-man Arsenal for a point 🤝#ARSBHA #TheKickOff pic.twitter.com/zyQVKOzN9F

— Premier League (@premierleague) August 31, 2024

How it happened

Arsenal’s consistency has been the reason for their title challenges in recent years and they again started strong against a tough opponent.

The Gunners have struggled against Brighton in the past but made their early dominance count in North London.

Set pieces have been a particularly strong weapon for Arteta’s men, and both William Saliba and his partner Gabriel having early chances from either corners or free-kicks.

Bukayo Saka was his slippery self, often twisting and turning away from the Brighton defence and firing two shots in the first half, both easily saveable for Verbruggen.

Martin Odegaard was also in the thick of the action, sending a tame volley towards goal.

But eventually, they found a breakthrough through Havertz.

A long ball forward was won by Saka, who eased Lewis Dunk away before playing Havertz through.

The German international then sent the ball over the goalkeeper and wheeled off to celebrate in front of the jubilant fans.

THAT MAN AGAIN!

Saka sends Havertz clean through and the German lobs the ball over the onrushing Verbruggen to give us the lead ✊

🔴 1-0 🟡 (39) pic.twitter.com/uGiVoTijiQ

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 31, 2024

However, things changed in the second half.

Rice, who has been so instrumental to Arsenal’s exploits since joining from West Ham, was on a yellow card before poking the ball away with Brighton looking to take a quick free-kick.

The referee had no choice but to dismiss the England international, leaving the home side on the back foot.

And Brighton made Arsenal pay almost instantly.

A brilliant long pass from Dunk found Minteh, who had his initial shot saved by David Raya.

But Pedro was there on the follow-up to level proceedings.

From that moment, the momentum of the game changed. Arsenal were content to sit back and absorb the pressure, in the hope of catching Brighton on the counter-attack.

🇧🇷👑 pic.twitter.com/b1b4VUq2tp

— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) August 31, 2024

There was a huge chance for Saka after he stretched to meet a Havertz cross, but it was just too far in front of him to make a meaningful impact.

At the other end, Yasin Ayari had the goal gaping but hit a strike straight at Raya.

It was a tense final 10 minutes at the Emirates, with the feeling that either team could still win the match.

But in the end, both had to settle for a point, meaning Arsenal and Brighton’s 100% starts came to an end in what was a thoroughly entertaining match.