BREAKING NEWS: coming from Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal bottled their first Emirates draw for the season as arsenal were held to a 1:1 draw by stubborn Brighton. Ian Wright has called arsenal player sloopy after a horrible performance against Brighton. A crazy game with an agonising ending. Ian Wright slams player after sluggish performance.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his frustration over what he perceived as inconsistent officiating following Declan Rice’s controversial sending-off against Brighton. Arteta suggested that the referees failed to apply the same standards to Brighton players for similar infractions. Rice was handed a second yellow card by referee Chris Kavanagh early in the second half, with the Premier League later confirming that it was due to Rice delaying the restart of play. At the time of the incident, Arsenal held a 1-0 lead, but Brighton managed to equalize through Joao Pedro, ultimately earning a point from the match.
The match was notable for several reasons. It marked Rice’s first career red card, the first goal Arsenal conceded this season, and the first time the Gunners dropped points in the new campaign. The red card also means that Rice will be suspended for Arsenal’s upcoming North London Derby against Tottenham, which will take place after the international break.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Arteta did not hold back in voicing his displeasure. He pointed out that his team was not provided with a clear explanation for Rice’s red card, which he said is a recurring issue. “If bookings for delaying the restart are given consistently throughout the game, that’s fine, but they weren’t. It’s the inconsistency,” Arteta remarked. When asked if he received any explanation from the officials, Arteta responded, “None, like always.”
Arteta reflected on the game, stating, “We started the game really well. We scored the goal, 1-0. We started the second half really good, but then there is the decision that changes the game completely.” He clearly felt that Rice’s dismissal was a turning point that shifted the momentum in Brighton’s favor.
On the other side, Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler saw no controversy in the red card decision. “First of all, he shoots the ball away, so it is a clear yellow card. It changes the momentum of the game,” Hurzeler told Match of the Day.
Despite losing their perfect start to the season, Arsenal remains unbeaten in the league. Kai Havertz gave them a lead going into halftime, only for Joao Pedro to equalize an hour into the match. Both teams had opportunities to secure a late winner. Havertz was denied by a sharp save from Bart Verbruggen, while Brighton’s record signing Georginio Rutter missed a late headed chance. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, leaving both sides with seven points from a possible nine.
Reflecting on the draw, Hurzeler said, “In the end, you are one man up, so you always want to win the game. We had chances on our side, but Arsenal also had two big chances.”
As the international break approaches, both Arsenal and Brighton will have time to recover and regroup. However, Arsenal will be without Rice for their next match, the North London Derby, due to his one-match suspension. Brighton, on the other hand, will return to action with a home game against newly promoted Ipswich on September 14.
