ARSENAL dropped two crucial points after a clash of heads saw Brighton awarded a second-half penalty.
Eredivisie 2024/2025
1-1
- João Pedro (61' PEN)
- Ethan Nwaneri (16')
Match report
The Gunners looked to be on their way to a fifth straight win, but saw it all happen when William Saliba miscued a header in his own box.
The towering centre-back tried to clear a loose ball chased by Joao Pedro when it collided with Pedro's head instead, sending the Brazilian to the ground and Anthony Taylor pointing to the spot.
Pedro confidently fired the penalty past David Raya, after VAR also deemed the awkward clash of heads as a penalty.
Arsenal were out of options from then on, with Bukayo Saka still injured, Kai Havertz out of the squad and first-half goalscorer Ethan Nwaneri starting at half-time.
Mikel Arteta may feel he made the wrong decision in taking off the talented 17-year-old, who had calmly put the Gunners ahead in the first half with an impressive finish past Bart Verbruggen.
But a yellow card for wasting time at a corner clearly left Arteta concerned about being reduced to ten men, and the Spaniard opted to remove the teenager at half-time.
That meant Arsenal had few attacking options after Pedro's equalizer, forcing Arteta to bring on a half-fit Martin Odegaard in the hope of some late magic.
That never happened and Arsenal failed to put pressure on leaders Liverpool.
The Gunners remain in second place but are now five points behind the Reds, having played two more games than Arne Slot's men. It's a huge mountain to climb for a Saka-less Arsenal.
Competition events
0' The match is about to start!
9' Offside! Jesus' shot was saved by the goalkeeper
16' ETHAN NWANERI HAS OPENED THE SCORE! ! Brighton 0-1 Arsenal
21' Raya is brought down in the penalty area
31' Highlight of Brighton vs Arsenal
34' SIMON ADINGRA, how he misses this!
36' Corner by Enwaneri
40' Gabriel is brought down in the penalty area, but the referee doesn't say pen!
43' Baleba's shot wide
44' Tuchel watches the match as the new coach for England
46' Sub: Martinelli is on
58' Serious foul by Estupinian
61' JOAO PEDRO HAS EQUAL VERSUS ARSENAL!!! Brighton 1-1 Arsenal
64' Martin Odegaard is coming!
76' MINTEH so close to give ARSENAL the lead!
82' Highlight of Brighton vs Arsenal
Setups
Brighton XI: Veltman, Pervis Estupiñán, Igor, Matt O'Riley, Jan Paul van Hecke, Joao Pedro, Bart Verbruggen, Yasin Ayari, Simon Adingra, Carlos Baleba, Brajan Gruda
Subs: Steele, Webster, March, Jakub Moder, Kaoru Mitoma, Tariq Lamptey, Georginio Rutter, Julio Enciso, Yankuba Minteh
Arsenal XI: Trossard, Jorginho, Partey, David Raya, Merino, Jesus, Rice, Gabriel, William Saliba, Calafiori, Ethan Nwaneri
Subs: Neto, Zinchenko, Tierney, Martin Ødegaard, Martinelli, Jakub Kiwior, N. Butler-Oyedeji, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ismeal Kabia
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