Declan Rice’s clumsy red card left Arsenal two points clear at the top of the table as Brighton came from behind to draw 1-1 at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal dominated the first half and after Martin Odegaard missed a golden chance to give the Gunners the lead, Bukayo Saka’s fine play set up Kai Havertz to chip Bart Verbruggen for the opener.
The Gunners took the lead into the break, although Brighton had more in the first half, but their task was made more difficult when Rice – already booked – stopped a quick free-kick in front of Joel Veltman who swung and gave it away. marching orders by Chris Kavanagh.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta criticized the lack of consistency in the decision and believed that Veltman should also have seen red in the same incident.
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is frustrated with the referee’s ‘inconsistency’ after Declan Rice was sent off against Brighton.
“I am amazed, amazed, amazed, amazed at the inconsistent decision,” he said. “In the first half, there were two incidents (where Brighton kicked the ball) and nothing happened.
“Then, in a non-critical area, the ball hit Declan (on the back of his leg), he turned, didn’t see a player coming and touched the ball.
“By law, he (the referee) can make that call, but by law he has to make the next call, which is the red card so we play 10vs10. That’s amazing. At this level it’s amazing.”
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Mike Dean reacts to Declan Rice’s controversial reaction during Arsenal’s match with Brighton
It was the first red card of Rice’s career and put him out of the north London derby at Tottenham on September 15, live on Sky Sports. Arsenal already have summer signing Mikel Merino with a broken shoulder, as Fabio Vieira and Emile Smith Rowe also leave in the window.
But Arsenal’s concerns were quickly raised when Yankuba Minteh burst through on goal, and when David Raya saved an early effort, Joao Pedro tucked in front of the rebound.
Brighton’s Joao Pedro celebrates after scoring his team’s equaliser
Brighton forced Arsenal into their own penalty area in the second half, but then there was a stunning final display.
First, Havertz saw a one-on-one chance on the counter saved by Verbruggen and Saka’s rebound was blocked. Brighton almost scored at the other end when Raya saved from substitute Yasin Ayari when the goal was gapped.
Havertz then crossed the ball for Saka at the other end on another counterattack but his effort was again held by the Brighton keeper.
Brighton were surprised by Arsenal’s chances and were a bit tense despite the others. Georginio Rutter and Carlos Baleba both blass over because they failed to make the advantage count.
However, it meant two points lost at home to Arsenal earlier in the season. The Gunners drew against Fulham at the same stage last August and lost the league by two points. How important is this image?
The big moment: Rice’s red card in the picture
Arsenal’s Declan Rice blocks Brighton’s Joel Veltman with a quick free-kick
Rice was sent off by referee Christopher Kavanagh after receiving a second yellow card
Rice protested his innocence to the referee
Arsenal’s Declan Rice left the pitch in a sad mood
How Rice’s red card caused a momentum shift
Arteta on Arsenal’s red card response
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta:
“A very emotional evening. We started well, created three or four chances that we did not convert. After that, we had some problems, especially with the ball and getting the ball back. We lost in some difficult areas and lacked some continuity and dominance in the time we scored a very good goal in the moment we took advantage of the opponent.
“Then we went to half-time, we came back, we were really strong. Then the referee made a decision that changed the course of the game. And it’s still like this with 10 men, the team’s reaction was unbelievable, the reaction of the stadium was unbelievable. and probably we should have won the game .
“Obviously it’s because of our passion and determination that we control the emotional part of the game because it’s difficult to do. But the team reacted like that.
“We show a lot of discipline. We react to what we have to do when we play at home with 10 people. We don’t want to be a deep defense like this, but we read the game and play the game we have to play and we have to get the reward. “
Hurzeler: Brighton disappointed not to win game
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler:
“Arsenal’s goal, for us, happened from nowhere. Not good defending from our team. Then in the second half it was changed because of the red card.
“From the red card, we dominated the game, we created chances. We also have to be honest
“So at the end, it was a disappointment because we wanted to win the game.”
Analysis: Arteta faces midfield crisis ahead of Spurs clash
Sky Sports’ Sam Blitz at the Emirates Stadium:
While allowing seven players from last season’s contingent and signing just four, Arsenal’s squad depth is under pressure after Friday’s transfer deadline. Mikel Arteta’s squad is good, but prone to vulnerability in a crisis.
The crisis.
In the space of 48 hours, Arsenal have lost their new signing Michael Merino for a week due to a broken shoulder in his first training session with the club – and now Declan’s rice for suspension, after Emile Smith Rowe and Fabio Vieira leave. The next game? North London derby at Tottenham.
Arteta must depend Thomas Party and Martin Odegaard as two of the three midfielders. Jorginho and Leandro Trossard Next in line between the midfielder and when moving the striker Kai Havertz return to the attacking midfield role is also an option, fellow forward Gabriel Jesus now injured as a back-up for Germany.
In any case, Havertz’s early season form suggests that he is best as a centre-forward, so will Arteta damage other areas of the pitch just to plug a hole?
Should Mikel Arteta replace Kai Havertz to plug a hole in Arsenal’s midfield?
There are untested options to try Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jurrien Timber or Ben White – who all have experience as central midfielders – in that role as well. But far from ideal.
In fact, the whole situation is far from ideal. Arsenal have dropped two points and this is a potentially weakened team at Tottenham next. Then Manchester City.
