Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw against Brighton after Joao Pedro’s controversial penalty ensured the Seagulls’ earned a deserved point.
The Gunners took the lead in the early stages through Ethan Nwaneri and looked on course for a fourth successive win.
Mikel Arteta’s side struggled to find their usual fluency after the break and were pegged back on the hour mark.
Wiliam Saliba was penalised following a clash of heads with Pedro and the Brazil international tucked away the spotkick with the minimum of fuss.
Arsenal huffed and puffed for the remainder of the game and after more dropped points, Liverpool can move further clear in the race for the title if they beat Manchester United tomorrow.
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A COSTLY SETBACK FOR THE GUNNERS
That’s it from our LIVE coverage from the Amex.
We’ll be back tomorrow to see just how costly that slip up was from Arsenal as Liverpool entertain Manchester United at Anfield
FULL-TIME
Arsenal have to settle for a point after they fail to find a way past a resolute Brighton team who hold them to a second 1-1 draw.
Over to you Liverpool who could extend their lead at the top again tomorrow…
INTO THE FINAL 10 MINUTES
Arsenal are lacking any sort of coherency in attack at the moment with Odegaard having had very little impact since coming on.
Indeed, if anyone looks like winning it, it’s Brighton!
PREMIER LEAGUE EXPLAIN BRIGHTON PENALTY
‘The referee’s call of penalty for a foul by Saliba on João Pedro was checked and confirmed by VAR, who deemed there was sufficient contact for a penalty.’
Not sure that will appease Arsenal fans…
HALF AN HOUR TO GO
Arsenal have been punished for not asserting themselves enough in the second half. They’ve got half an hour to find a winner and captain Martin Odegaard is about to come on…
GOAL FOR BRIGHTON
Joao Pedro does the job from the spot, sending David Raya the wrong way. Game on!
PENALTY TO BRIGHTON
William Saliba penalised after he went to make a headed clearance but made contact only with Joao Pedro’s head
SCRAPPY FROM BOTH TEAMS
Nothing really doing for both teams at the start of the second period. Brighton are probing without really causing too many issues but Arsenal will need to offer more on the counter… they’ve completed just three passes in the opposition half in the opening 10 minutes.
CHANGES FOR BOTH TEAMS
Arsenal’s goalscorer Ethan Nwaneri is hooked at the break, probably as a precaution after he was booked for time-wasting, and is replaced by Gabriel Martinelli.
For the hosts Georginio Rutter and Yankuba Minteh are on. Matt O’Riley and Brajan Gruda are off.
HALF TIME
Arsenal go in at the break 1-0 up thanks to Ethan Nwaneri’s early goal but it has been far from plain sailing.
The hosts have plenty of attacking options on the bench and you feel the Gunners will need a second goal if they are to move to within three points of leaders Liverpool.
HUGE CHANCE FOR BRIGHTON
Simon Adingra should have put the hots level in the 35th minute but the winger skewed his shot wide from just 10 yards out on the stretch.
A warning for Arsenal whose troubles were of their own making after Jorginho was caught in possession just outside his own penalty area.
Fortune favours the Gunners?
There was an element of luck about the goal given Mikel Merino’s pass may actually have been intended for Declan Rice but we did warn you about the oceans of space Brighton were affording Arsenal, particularly in that right-hand channel…
Goalkeeper Verbruggen may also feel he should have done better!
Who needs Bukayo Saka?
Less than 24 hours after Luke Littler stunned the world, another 17-year-old English sporting sensation is it…
Goal for Arsenal
That is absolutely sensational from Arsenal and Ethan Nwaneri.
The youngster has broken the deadlock after just 17 minutes, sprinting clear of the Brighton defence and beating Bart Verbruggen with a low shot.
An outstanding Bukayo Saka impression!
The man in form
Gabriel Jesus has been given the nod up front again in the absence of Kai Havertz and the Brazil forward has already posed a threat to Brighton.
The offside flag would have come to the Seagulls’ rescue anyway on this occasion, but the former Man City star will be licking his lips if Brighton continue to give the ball away in dangerous areas
Boos for a former Brighton favourite
Leandro Trossard has featured prominently in the very early exchanges for Arsenal and it appears the home fans haven’t forgotten the acrimonious nature of his departure from Brighton nearly two years ago.
Kick-Off
We’re underway at the Amex Stadium
Joao Pedro captain the side
The Brazilian is wearing the captain’s armband tonight, a fine reward for his impressive form this season.
Since the start of last season, the forward has more Premier League goals and assists combined than any other Brighton player (13 goals, 8 assists) – his 13 goals are the most, while his eight assists are bettered only by the now departed Pascal Groß (10).
Pre-match odds
Here’s how the bookies have it ahead of kick-off:
Brighton: 11/4
Draw: 15/8
Arsenal: 8/11
(Odds courtesy of Betfair and subject to change)
Ally McCoist tells Mikel Arteta £150 million Arsenal transfer target ‘has everything’
Alexander Isak scored for the seventh game running in the game as Newcastle beat Tottenham 2-1 earlier in the day.
The Swede has been heavily linked with Arsenal this window – and Ally McCoist reckons he might be the perfect man for the Gunners.
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