Arsenal missed the chance to move within three points of Premier League leaders Liverpool when Joao Pedro's second-half penalty held them to a 1-1 draw against Brighton.
Just as he did in a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture in August, Joao Pedro scored in the second half to deny the Gunners all three points at the Amex Stadium.
Teenager Ethan Nwaneri put Arsenal ahead in the 16th minute with a fine solo effort, racing down the right and curling a low finish under Bart Verbruggen into the far corner.
However, Brighton piled on the pressure and Joao Pedro won the penalty after being caught by William Saliba, who attempted to head the ball away before coolly bending it into the back of the net.
The Seagulls pushed for a late winner, with Yankuba Minteh coming closest when his low shot flashed across goal, and Kaoru Mitoma could not get a decisive strike to poke the ball home.
Arsenal have dug in deep to at least ensure their unbeaten run in the league is extended to ten games, and they are five points behind Liverpool in second place, while Brighton are tenth.
FT: Another well-deserved point against Arsenal.
[1-1] #BHAARS // #BHAFC pic.twitter.com/Hvip9KAe8l
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) January 4, 2025
Data debriefing: missed opportunities
The first time Arsenal dropped points this season was in the 1-1 draw with Brighton in August, and on Saturday it was an all-too-familiar story again for Mikel Arteta.
The Gunners have failed to beat a team home and away in a Premier League season (Brighton in 2024/25 – two draws), despite leading 1-0 for the ninth time in both matches. Brighton are the only opponent this has happened against twice in the league (including two draws against the Seagulls in 2018/19, having scored first in both matches).
While they will be disappointed not to come away with three points, Nwaneri was once again a shining spark. He became only the sixth player to score more than one Premier League goal before turning 18 (two), after Wayne Rooney (seven), Michael Owen (five), Danny Cadamarteri, James Milner (both three) and Federico Macheda (two), and the first to do so for Arsenal.
Meanwhile, Joao Pedro has been involved in 10 goals in his last 13 Premier League appearances (five goals, five assists), scoring both home and away against Arsenal this season.
Comments