For Mikel Arteta, this was a well timed reminder of simply how fantastic the margins will be on the prime. Along with his aspect main because of Kai Havertz’s elegant lob, the Arsenal supervisor may have been forgiven for pondering they have been on their method to a 3rd snug victory in a row to begin the brand new marketing campaign after securing the shock mortgage signing of Raheem Sterling from Chelsea on deadline day.
But 4 minutes of the second half had been performed when catastrophe struck as Declan Rice was despatched off for a weird second when he tangled with Brighton’s Joël Veltman as he tried to take a free-kick. Jõao Pedro went on to equalise for Brighton as they saved tempo with Arsenal and maintained their unbeaten document regardless of each side having their probabilities to say all three factors late on.
Nevertheless it was Rice’s second yellow card after which a purple – the primary of his Premier League profession which means he’ll miss the north London derby after the worldwide break – that proved the sport’s turning level. The referee, Chris Kavanagh, left the pitch to boos from the house followers and dealing with a lot of questions from a livid Arteta having didn’t hold management of a fiery contest.
There had been an additional loud cheer earlier than kick-off when Sterling’s title was introduced together with fellow new Arsenal signings Mikel Merino and goalkeeper Neto. Arteta had hoped that Merino, the Spain midfielder, may have been on the bench till he suffered an unlucky shoulder harm throughout his first coaching session on Thursday, however he needed to accept a seat within the stands alongside Sterling, who was not registered in time to characteristic.
A number of of Brighton’s new arrivals have additionally been sidelined, with the Turkey defender Ferdi Kadioglu dominated out after selecting up an harm in coaching on Friday. That meant Jack Hinshelwood continued to deputise at left-back and he wanted a pep discuss from Fabian Hürzeler after quarter-hour of being run ragged by Bukayo Saka when a crestfallen James Milner needed to limp off.
With new central midfield signings Matt O’Riley and Mats Wieffer additionally on the remedy desk after becoming a member of this summer time, Brighton needed to flip to substitute Yasin Ayari to fill the void alongside fellow 20-year-old Carlos Baleba – mixed age two years greater than Milner.
The guests managed to ascertain their rhythm after the early storm and an assault began by Baleba ended up with Kaoru Mitoma flashing a volley simply previous the submit. However they’d nobody else responsible however themselves for falling behind seven minutes earlier than the break. Lewis Dunk was far too informal in coping with a hopeful ball ahead and ducked out of the best way slightly than heading it. Saka sensed his probability, spinning in behind him after which enjoying in Havertz to execute an excellent lobbed end over Bart Verbruggen.
Hürzeler’s frustrations boiled over quickly after when he was booked for protesting that Rice’s lunge on Veltman ought to have resulted in a heavier punishment than a yellow card.
It then wanted Hinshelwood to hack away Rice’s goalbound shot after a stunning flowing transfer that includes a backheel from Jurrien Timber as Arsenal got here out strongly after the break.
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The England midfielder’s afternoon took a dramatic flip for the more severe when he was despatched off after being proven a second yellow card. Veltman had been awarded a free-kick however Rice subtly kicked the ball away and was kicked by Veltman on the similar time, with Kavanagh ruling that solely the Arsenal midfielder deserved a warning for obstruction.
The house followers have been understandably upset and their temper in the direction of the officers solely darkened when Dunk redeemed his mistake by enjoying a straight ball proper by means of the center of Arsenal’s defence to Yankuba Minteh. His shot was saved however Pedro wolfed up the rebound – the primary objective Arsenal have conceded this season.
Arteta’s response was to deliver on Riccardo Calafiori and swap to a again 5, with Martin Ødegaard simply unable to pick the Italy defender for an opportunity when he made a lung-bursting run down the left flank. Brighton continued to construct the strain, though Havertz was denied by Verbruggen’s outstretched leg earlier than Saka didn’t convert one other respectable probability on the break.
Substitute Georginio Rutter and Baleba blazed over late on after Gabriel had blocked the latter’s shot together with his abdomen. However Arsenal stood agency and at the very least had the comfort of a degree from a recreation they’d regarded destined to win, though All people desires to rule the world was an fascinating alternative of tune from the stadium announcer as Arteta headed down the tunnel in pursuit of an evidence from Kavanagh.
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