SHOCKING NEWS: Arsenal arteta has blasted and sent a warning to one of his players after the team’s 1:1 draw against Brighton in the premier league. The manager singled out the player after his poor performance to the draw, calling him a “game killer” He wants shouting at, I don’t always understand how he plays football he can’t even make a correct pass he was the main reason we fumbled in some part of the match and also against Aston villa the same mistake. that’s why the fans don’t respect his presence in the team. and has no importance to the team. ” I think it’s high time for him to leave he lacks the qualities of an Arsenal player”.
Arsenal dropped their first points of the new Premier League season in a dramatic 1-1 draw with Brighton at the Emirates Stadium. Mikel Arteta’s side appeared to be in control during the first half, with Kai Havertz capitalizing on a precise through ball from Bukayo Saka to score the opening goal. Havertz cleverly lobbed the ball over Brighton’s goalkeeper, giving Arsenal a well-deserved lead heading into the break.
However, the match took a significant turn in the second half when Declan Rice was controversially sent off. The incident drastically shifted the momentum in Brighton’s favor. At one point, the Seagulls enjoyed 81% possession over a five-minute stretch, and they eventually equalized through Joao Pedro’s close-range finish, earning a valuable point away from home.
Despite the setback, Arsenal had opportunities to secure all three points. Havertz came close to doubling his tally, but his effort was brilliantly saved by Brighton’s goalkeeper, Bart Verbruggen. Later, Havertz turned provider, delivering a dangerous cross to Saka, who unfortunately couldn’t get his feet right and was once again denied by Verbruggen.
Ultimately, while Arsenal managed to salvage a point, they will undoubtedly be frustrated by the circumstances surrounding Rice’s sending-off in the second half. The incident played a crucial role in the outcome of the game, and Arteta’s side will feel they could have done more had they kept all 11 players on the pitch.
The reason for Rice’s dismissal stemmed from an earlier yellow card he received in the first half for a strong challenge. Although Rice won none of the ball during the tackle, the booking was widely accepted as justified. However, the second yellow card, which led to his sending-off, is much more contentious.
Rice’s altercation with Joel Veltman on the left-hand side of the pitch occurred as Brighton was eager to take a quick free-kick deep in their own half. In an attempt to delay the restart, Rice nudged the ball away, prompting Veltman to kick out at him. According to the letter of the law, Rice’s action warranted a second yellow card, resulting in his dismissal. What will particularly frustrate Arsenal is the perceived inconsistency in officiating, as Joao Pedro had similarly kicked the ball away earlier in the game without receiving any punishment.
As a result of the red card, Arsenal was forced to finish the match with ten men, and Rice will now miss the critical North London Derby against Tottenham after the international break. This is a significant blow for Arsenal, as Rice would have been a key player in such an important fixture.
With Rice unavailable for the derby, Arsenal faces a challenge in replacing him. The situation is further complicated by the fact that Mikel Merino, another potential option, suffered a shoulder injury during his first full training session with the team after Gabriel accidentally landed on him. This injury will keep Merino out for several weeks, leaving Arsenal with limited options in midfield.
Jorginho is likely to step in alongside Thomas Partey for the Tottenham match. However, once Rice returns and Merino is back to full fitness, Arteta may have to reconsider Partey’s role in the team. While Partey has had moments of brilliance, such as his crucial goal against Aston Villa, his performance against Brighton highlighted some weaknesses. Partey struggled with Brighton’s press, losing possession frequently and failing to provide the stability Arsenal needed in midfield.
Partey’s statistics from the Brighton match reflect his struggles. He completed 19 out of 25 passes (76% accuracy), won only three of his eight duels, and lost possession seven times. Although Partey made some good recovery tackles, his inability to consistently maintain possession and evade pressure suggests that he might not be the ideal long-term solution for Arsenal’s midfield, especially with the arrival of Merino, who excelled in duels across Europe’s top five leagues last season.
As Arsenal prepares for the North London Derby, Arteta will be hoping for a standout performance from Partey. However, barring an exceptional display, it seems likely that Partey will face increased competition for his place in the starting lineup once Rice and Merino are fully available.
