• Arsenal only managed a 1-1 draw with Brighton on Saturday lunchtime
  • Kai Havertz had put Arsenal in front before Declan Rice was sent off in second half
  • Joao Pedro equalised to earn Fabian Hurzeler's side a point

Joao Pedro produced an equaliser shortly after Rice's dismissal but the Seagulls were unable to grab a late winner as Arsenal held on for a point.

How the game unfolded

Arsenal started brightly at the Emirates and it took just two minutes for Bukayo Saka to test Brighton stopper Bart Verbruggen. The winger glided past Jack Hinshelwood and reached the byline before poking an effort towards the Dutch goalkeeper.

Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh kept David Raya honest with a header after just 14 minutes and Martin Odegaard could have fired Arsenal in front from close range shortly afterwards, but the Norwegian's tame effort was too central.

The visitors began to find their feet as the first half wore on and it was Arsenal's sloppiness that handed them their next crack at goal. Thomas Partey's wayward pass led to a Brighton counter attack, with Kai Havertz's misplaced header allowing Kaoru Mitoma to flash a volley wide of Raya's goal.

Just as Brighton had taken the sting out of proceedings, Arsenal grabbed the lead in the 38th minute. Lewis Dunk was muscled off the ball far too easily by Saka, who then supplied Havertz with a lovely through ball. The German made no mistake from just outside the penalty area, delicately lifting over the onrushing Verbruggen.

The game was turned on its head just four minutes after the restart when Rice was sent off by referee Chris Kavanagh. The midfielder had been justifiably booked for a late tackle on Joel Veltman in the first half and was handed his second yellow card for kicking the ball away after fouling the Dutch defender once more. The Brighton man may have been slightly fortunate to stay on the pitch himself after swinging a boot in Rice's direction during the incident.

It took less than ten minutes for Brighton to take advantage and equalise, and it was the hero of last weekend Pedro who netted before the hour mark. Minteh's close-range strike was palmed into the Brazilian's path by Raya and he fired it low past the Spanish goalkeeper with a first-time finish.

Despite being at a numerical disadvantage, Arsenal had a golden opportunity to restore their one-goal cushion. Havertz's exquisite touch and powerful run saw him face-to-face with Verbruggen but his strike was well saved. The German then turned provider for Saka but the young winger's lunging shot was comfortably held by the Brighton goalkeeper.

Brighton continued to throw bodies forward as they looked to press home their advantage and Yasin Ayari had the best opportunity, forcing Raya into a sprawling save. However, in the end, they were unable to put Arsenal to the sword as the Gunners held firm in defence.