Brighton dent Arsenal's title hopes
Brighton & Hove Albion 1 - 1 Arsenal
João Pedro’s second-half penalty dealt a blow to Arsenal’s title ambitions as Brighton held them to a frustrating draw.
Arsenal started brightly, taking the lead in the 16th minute through Ethan Nwaneri, making just his second Premier League start. The 17-year-old combined cleverly with Mikel Merino and Declan Rice before unleashing a shot that slipped past Bart Verbruggen and nestled in the far corner.
The Gunners dominated the first half and looked poised to extend their advantage. However, missed opportunities came back to haunt them when Pedro equalised from the spot just after the hour mark.
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The penalty stemmed from an unusual incident as Pedro flicked the ball up, and William Saliba, attempting to clear with his head, made contact with Pedro, who went down. After a VAR review, the referee confirmed the decision, and Pedro confidently sent David Raya the wrong way to level the scores.
Brighton could have snatched all three points late on, but substitute Yankuba Minteh curled his effort wide from a promising position inside the box.
The result leaves Arsenal five points adrift of leaders Liverpool, having played two games more—a worrying gap for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Arsenal's injury woes
Arteta was forced into squad rotation, with Kai Havertz sidelined by illness and captain Martin Ødegaard only fit enough for the bench. The Gunners are already grappling with Bukayo Saka’s absence due to a serious hamstring injury, yet they still managed to dominate the early stages of the match.
Despite their superiority, Arsenal struggled to create clear-cut chances—a recurring issue. Arteta turned to young Nwaneri to help plug the gap left by Saka, and while the teenager showed flashes of brilliance, including his goal, he also took unnecessary risks—an expected part of his development.
Nwaneri’s strike made history, as he became the first Arsenal player to score more than once in the Premier League before turning 18. However, his evening was cut short, with Arteta confirming the youngster was substituted at half-time due to “muscular issues.” It remains unclear when he will return.
Another draw for Brighton
Brighton came into this match eager to break a streak of three consecutive Premier League draws. After conceding an early goal, salvaging a point against Arsenal might not seem like the worst outcome.
However, the Seagulls are now winless in eight games, and manager Fabian Hürzeler will likely feel his side missed an opportunity to claim all three points, given the chances they created.
Brighton’s winless streak continues
Brighton’s lack of ruthlessness in front of goal was evident throughout the first half. Simon Adingra posed a constant threat but struggled to deliver an effective final ball, while Carlos Baleba’s wayward attempt at one point ended up as an Arsenal throw-in.
The half-time introductions of Georginio Rutter and Yankuba Minteh injected energy into Brighton’s attack, sparking a much-improved second-half performance. João Pedro, quiet in the opening 45 minutes, came alive after the break. His relentless pressing caused problems for Arsenal, and he ultimately made the difference by winning and converting the decisive penalty to level the scores.
Was the penalty decision harsh?
Was this a penalty? youtu.be/426lfx1aZNQ?...
— European Super Football (@superfootball.bsky.social) 5 January 2025 at 13:53
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Brighton’s search for an equaliser paid off just before the hour mark in dramatic fashion.
In the Arsenal penalty area, João Pedro flicked the ball into the air and attempted to nod it into his own path as he turned to his right. However, his movement resulted in a clash of heads with William Saliba, who was trying to clear.
Referee Anthony Taylor took a moment to assess the incident as Pedro went to ground. After a brief pause, he pointed to the spot, and a subsequent VAR check confirmed the decision.
Pedro then stepped up confidently, sending Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya the wrong way and slotting the ball into the right corner to bring Brighton level.
Arsenal fan analysis
Interesting stat
— European Super Football (@superfootball.bsky.social) 5 January 2025 at 14:10
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DJ, an Arsenal fan told us: "Our second-half performance as worryingly lacklustre, with little to show in terms of creativity or cutting edge. The Gunners managed just one shot on target—a tame effort from Declan Rice comfortably saved by the goalkeeper—and a wayward header from Thomas Partey that should have been much better.
"Even Martin Ødegaard, who came off the bench despite being unwell, couldn’t turn the tide. The skipper looked like he’d have been better off at home with a hot water bottle and a Lemsip than battling on the pitch. There’s no denying we have faced our share of bad luck this season, with injuries and misfortune playing their part. However, the harsh reality is that the squad lacks the firepower to consistently overcome such setbacks."
