Arsenal 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion: Arsenal’s Winning Streak Ends After Controversial Declan Rice Red Card
Arsenal’s perfect start to the season was halted by Brighton at the Emirates Stadium after a controversial red card for Declan Rice allowed the visitors to claw back and secure a draw.
With Arsenal seemingly cruising early in the second half, Rice received a second yellow card from referee Chris Kavanagh for time-wasting, dramatically changing the course of the game. Brighton capitalized on their numerical advantage, with Joao Pedro equalizing shortly before the hour mark.
Earlier in the match, Arsenal had taken the lead thanks to Kai Havertz’s second goal of the season. The goal came after Bukayo Saka pounced on a defensive lapse from Brighton captain Lewis Dunk, setting up Havertz to calmly chip the ball over goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.
Despite being down to 10 men, Arsenal nearly regained the lead 15 minutes from time when Havertz forced a save from Verbruggen with a well-placed shot. The closing stages saw opportunities for both Saka and Brighton substitute Georginio Rutter, but neither side could find a winner, leaving the game level.
Arsenal made two late signings as the transfer window closed, but Neto and Raheem Sterling were ineligible to play, having signed too late to be included in the squad. Brighton’s new acquisition, Ferdi Kadioglu, was also unavailable, while Matt O’Riley’s injury meant the £25m midfielder couldn’t take part.
Mikel Arteta’s side dominated the early exchanges, with Ben White and Martin Odegaard coming close to scoring. However, the momentum shifted after Rice’s dismissal, and here are Mirror Football’s key takeaways from the Emirates Stadium clash:
- Rice’s Red Card Changes Everything
- Initially, it seemed that Brighton’s Joel Veltman might be in trouble as Declan Rice lay on the ground, but it was Rice who was sent off. While the first yellow card was undisputed, the second for delaying the restart was more contentious. Arsenal fans might also question why Veltman stayed on the pitch after the incident, which ultimately left them a man down.
- Havertz Steps Up Amid Striker Concerns
- Arsenal’s decision to sell Eddie Nketiah on deadline day reignited doubts about their striking options. Despite no new number nine coming in, Havertz, who has been leading the line in Gabriel Jesus’s absence, demonstrated why Arteta has faith in him. His goal, a classic striker’s finish, showcased his ability to fill the role effectively.
- Dunk Redeems Himself
- Lewis Dunk might have been disappointed with his role in Arsenal’s opener, but he made up for it by playing a crucial part in Brighton’s equalizer. His long ball led to panic in Arsenal’s defense, ultimately allowing Joao Pedro to score after David Raya saved the initial effort. Dunk’s resilience helped steady Brighton after a shaky start.
- Saka vs. Hinshelwood: A Tough Battle
- Brighton opted not to start Pervis Estupinan, choosing the more defensively-minded Jack Hinshelwood to face Arsenal. However, the young defender struggled against Bukayo Saka, who created several early chances, including one that led to a deflected Ben White shot. Brighton eventually adjusted, but the battle could have turned out differently had it remained 11 vs. 11.
- Brighton May Regret Gilmour’s Departure
- The injury to Matt O’Riley might have prompted Brighton to reconsider selling Billy Gilmour, but the Scotland midfielder moved to Napoli on deadline day. This left Brighton thin in midfield, particularly after James Milner was forced off early, leaving 20-year-olds Yasin Ayari and Carloc Baleba to shoulder the load. While Brighton often thrive with youth, relying on such inexperience could prove challenging in the long run.
