For Mikel Arteta, this was a timely reminder of just how fine the margins can be. With his side leading 1-0 thanks to Kai Havertz’s sublime lob in the first half, the Arsenal manager could have been forgiven for thinking his side were on their way to a third successive victory to start the season after securing the surprise loan signing of Raheem Sterling from Chelsea on deadline day.
Yet only four minutes of the second half had been played when disaster struck as Declan Rice was sent off in a bizarre moment when he tangled with Brighton’s Joël Veltman as he tried to take a free-kick. João Pedro went on to equalise for Fabian Hürzeler’s side as they kept pace with Arsenal and maintained their unbeaten record despite both sides having chances to claim all three points late on.
But it was Rice’s red card – the first of his Premier League career – that proved to be the game’s turning point and referee Chris Kavanagh left the pitch with boos from the home fans ringing in his ears while facing a flurry of questions from a furious Arteta failing to keep control of a fiery contest.
There had been an extra loud cheer before kick-off when Sterling’s name was announced along with fellow new signings Mikel Merino and goalkeeper Neto. Arteta had hoped the Spain midfielder would have been on the bench until he sustained an unfortunate shoulder injury during his first training session on Thursday and as such he had to settle for a seat in the stands. The only change from Arsenal’s win at Aston Villa last week was to bring in Leandro Trossard for Gabriel Martinelli.
Several of Brighton’s new arrivals have also been sidelined, with Turkey defender Ferdi Kadioglu ruled out after picking up an injury in training on Friday. That meant Jack Hinshelwood continued to deputise at left-back and he needed a pep talk from Hürzeler after 15 minutes of being run ragged by Bukyao Saka when a crestfallen James Milner had to limp off. With new central midfield signings Matt O’Riley and Mats Wieffer also unavailable after joining this summer, Brighton had to turn to substitute Yasin Ayari to fill the void alongside fellow 20-year-old Carlos Baleba.
The visitors managed to test David Raya when Yankuba Minteh headed João Pedro’s deep cross towards goal. Despite being on the receiving end of a bad tackle from Minteh, Martin Ødegaard continued to lead Arsenal’s energetic press. Brighton were slowly beginning to establish their rhythm and an attack started by Baleba eventually ended up with Kaoru Mitoma flashing a volley just past the post.
But they had no one to blame but themselves for falling behind seven minutes before the break. Lewis Dunk was far too casual in dealing with a hopeful ball forward and inexplicably ducked out of the way rather than heading the ball. Saka sensed his chance, spinning in behind him and then playing in Havertz to execute a brilliant lobbed finish over Bart Verbruggen. Hürzeler’s frustrations boiled over soon after when he was booked for protesting that a yellow card shown to Rice for a lunge on Veltman should have resulted in a heavier punishment.
It needed Hinshelwood to hack away Rice’s goalbound shot following a lovely flowing move featuring a backheel from Jurrien Timber as Arsenal came out strongly after the break. Yet the England midfielder’s afternoon took a dramatic turn not long after when he was sent off after being shown a second yellow card following a bizarre incident involving Veltman. The Brighton defender had been awarded a free-kick but Rice tried to kick the ball away and was himself kicked by Veltman at the same time, with Kavanagh ruling that only the Arsenal midfielder deserved a yellow card. The home fans were understandably upset and their mood towards the officials only darkened when Dunk redeemed his mistake by playing a straight ball right through the middle of Arsenal’s defence to Danny Welbeck. His shot was saved but João Pedro gobbled up the rebound – the first goal Arsenal have conceded this season.
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Arteta’s response was to bring on Riccardo Calafiori and switch to a back five, with Ødegaard just unable to pick out the Italy defender for a chance when he made a lung-bursting run down the left flank. It was all hands to the pump as Brighton continued to build the pressure, although Havertz was denied by Verbruggen’s outstretched leg before Saka failed to convert another decent chance on the break.
Georginio Rutter and Baleba both blazed over late on after Gabriel had blocked the latter’s shot with his stomach. But Arsenal stood firm and at least had the consolation of a point from a game they had looked destined to win.