Arsenal look like panic merchants but boss Arteta proud of response

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There are moments of adversity for every club in every season, even for a team as dominant as this Arsenal side, for whom the first real test of the campaign came in the period that followed Declan Rice’s bizarre red card on 49 minutes.
Declan Rice can’t believe it as he’s sent off for kicking the ball away 😳📺 Watch Arsenal vs. Brighton live on @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/E44NGyfjHz
Down to 10 men, against energetic and unorthodox opposition, Arsenal were suddenly on the brink of falling apart. Joao Pedro equalised for Brighton within nine minutes of the midfielder’s dismissal, and in those moments Arsenal’s structure disintegrated in a way that had not been witnessed for some time.
Panic was setting in, on the pitch and in the stands, and it felt inevitable that Brighton would score again. In the nine minutes between the red card and Pedro’s goal, Arsenal allowed a total of five shots at their goal. Last week, away to Aston Villa, the home side had only six shots in the whole match.
Rather than being dizzied by Brighton’s goal, though, Arsenal used it as a chance to steady themselves. Seconds after the equaliser, Arteta took off Leandro Trossard, a forward, and replaced him with Riccardo Calafiori, a defender. Almost instantly, Arsenal found a foothold in the game.
Arteta will be disappointed that his team dropped two points, and he was furious about the red card shown to Rice, but he was also proud of his players’ reaction to the challenge that had presented itself.
In the final 30 minutes it was 10-man Arsenal, rather than 11-man Brighton, who created the best openings. Kai Havertz failed to convert after racing in behind on the counter-attack, then Bukayo Saka was unable to generate enough power for his close-range effort.
“The referee makes a decision that changes the course of the game,” said Arteta. “And still like this, with 10 men, the team reacts unbelievably well, the stadium reacts unbelievably well and probably we should have won the game.”
It could be argued that Arteta’s players will have learned more about each other during this game than if they had strolled to another 2-0 victory. This was an afternoon that required a level of resilience and spirit — Gabriel Magalahes flying into tackles, Martin Odegaard playing through pain — these are things not normally required of a team of Arsenal’s technical ability.
Watching from the stands was Raheem Sterling, who had joined the club on loan from Chelsea in the early hours of Saturday morning. Upon his arrival, he spoke about the “togetherness” he has seen in Arteta’s squad. On Saturday afternoon, he saw that togetherness in the flesh.
It should be said, however, that before the red card, it had not been Arsenal’s most slick performance. Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton team deployed a courageously high defensive line and they were largelystopped Arsenal finding their rhythm.
In Pedro, Kaoru Mitoma and Yankuba Minteh, Brighton had three players more than capable of hurting Arsenal’s defence. Pedro, especially, was taking up positions in the final third that presented all sorts of problems for the home side.
Arsenal’s goal came somewhat out of the blue. Lewis Dunk was somehow outmuscled by Saka, as they went for an aerial ball, and Saka found Havertz. The lobbed finish of the bouncing ball was another demonstration of the German’s growing confidence. “We started to control the game and then the goal happens out of nowhere,” said Hurzeler.
Kai Havertz, that is a beautiful finish 😮‍💨📺 Watch Arsenal vs. Brighton live on @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/YKrISUFfb4
It marked another decisive contribution from Saka, who has started this season with an obvious sense of determination. In three matches, he has registered three assists and scored one goal. Poor Jack Hinshelwood, a teenager playing out of position at left-back, had no answer to Saka’s dribbling in the first half.
Rice’s red card, four minutes after the half-time break, transformed this match by introducing a different dynamic and new pressure for both teams.
Brighton’s goal was finished by Pedro but was made possible by the eye-watering speed of Minteh, who surged through Arsenal’s defence before firing towards goal. David Raya, Arsenal’s goalkeeper, saved the initial effort but could do nothing about Pedro’s follow-up.
Right place, right time 🎯João Pedro slots home the leveller against 10-men Arsenal 👀📺 Watch Arsenal vs. Brighton live on @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/MnSXgjKstf
Raya was needed again in the second half, especially when Brighton substitute Yasin Ayari fired towards goal, and his feats were matched by Bart Verbruggen at the other end. First he denied Havertz, racing through on Brighton’s goal, and then he scrambled across it to prevent Saka converting Havertz’s assist.
A victory would have underlined Arsenal’s title credentials, but a draw in such circumstances does nothing to hurt them.
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler, speaking to Match of the Day: “In the end you are one man plus so you always want to win the game. We had chances on our side but Arsenal also had two big chances.”
Thoughts on sending off: “First of all, he shoots the ball away so it is a clear yellow card, it changes the momentum of the game.
“We started to control the game and then the goal happens out of nowhere. We didn’t defend it well, the red card changed the game for sure. We wanted to win, we didn’t do it so we have to be satisfied with the draw.
“There’s still room for a lot of improvements. We try and go step-by-step.”
João Pedro kicked the ball away as it went out of play during the first half but didn’t receive a card 👀 pic.twitter.com/cvB5ryd1vZ
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, speaking to TNT Sports after the match.
On whether he had been given an explanation by the referee: “None, like always.”
When asked about his thoughts about the red card: “If that happens [yellow card] throughout the game, that’s fine. But it didn’t happen. In the first half, there were a number of occasions where they kicked the ball away and nothing happened. So it’s inconsistency.”
“We had to play with ten, but they should have to play with ten, because it’s a red for Veltman.”
Declan Rice will miss the North London derby after being sent off against Brighton ❌ pic.twitter.com/aXwijc7aAV
And as a result of his red card today, Declan Rice will now miss Arsenal’s next match in the north London derby away at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday 15 September.
Declan Rice can’t believe it as he’s sent off for kicking the ball away 😳📺 Watch Arsenal vs. Brighton live on @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/E44NGyfjHz
Here’s the moment that has everyone talking: Declan Rice’s second yellow card in the second half.
Read more about it in detail by clicking here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2024/08/31/arsenal-declan-rice-sent-off-bizarre-red-card-brighton/
Thomas Partey concedes a free kick right on the edge of the penalty area, which is then whipped in and headed away before the final whistle shortly blows for full time.
Arsenal will be disappointed with the draw, but Brighton leave north London with a valuable point after an impressive second-half showing.
The away side win a series of corners after building pressure on the left hand side.
But the pressure is relieved after a wild long range strike from Brighton that flies over the bar.
Six minutes of stoppage time have been announced at the Emirates Stadium.
And despite the roars from the home crowd, Brighton appear to the team best placed to get the winner.
Arsenal defender Gabriel has blocked a rasping long-range drive from Carlos Baleba, but briefly staggers to the ground, winded, before slowly getting back to his feet.
Brighton have made two more substitutions, as they chase a winner.
Julio Enciso and Simon Adingra have both made their way onto the pitch. 
Brighton earn a corner, and the delivery into the box is a good one.
However, defender van Hecke collides with teammate Rutter, which leads to his header going wide of the goal.
Last ten minutes at the Emirates Stadium, with this match very finely poised for a thrilling finale.
Oleksandr Zinchenko has replaced Jurrien Timber at left back for Arsenal, after the Dutchman picks up an injury.
What a breathless few minutes at the Emirates Stadium.
First, Yasin Ayari has the goal at his mercy but Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya scrambles across goal to block the effort.
And just over a minute later, Havertz races down the right hand side and plays a splendid low cross to the onrushing Bukayo Saka, who can only direct the ball straight into Verbruggen.
Gabriel Martinelli now enters the fray for Arsenal, after replacing captain Martin Odegaard.
But it’s Kai Havertz, who has a massive chance to give Arsenal the lead.
He bursts away from van Hecke and goes one on one with Brighton keeper Verbruggen, but his outstretched leg denies Havertz and Saka’s rebound is swiftly blocked.
Now Jurrien Timber receives a booking after bringing down Brighton winger Minteh around 40 yards from goal on the right hand side.
Meanwhile, Joel Veltman has gone down injured on the ground, to the ire of the disgruntled Arsenal fans.
They then focus their attention onto the referee, with chants of “You’re not fit to referee!”
Brighton then make two changes with Estupinan and Georgino Rutter coming onto the pitch.
Brighton earn a corner, but only after some brilliant defending denies Danny Welbeck with a tap in after a Brighton cross is fired in from the left.
 
Declan Rice was sent off in extraordinary circumstances in the second half of Arsenal’s meeting with Brighton on Saturday.Rice, who had been shown a yellow card for a late tackle in the first half, received a second yellow at the start of the second half for seemingly nudging the ball away from Brighton’s Joel Veltman while play was stopped.The situation was made more bizarre because Veltman’s response to Rice’s touch of the ball was to follow through with his kick, therefore clattering Rice.
As Rice went down to ground, holding his leg, the home supporters called for Veltman to be sent off. There was huge shock in the Emirates Stadium when the referee, Chris Kavanagh, instead produced a red card for Rice.Arsenal were leading 1-0 at the time of Rice’s dismissal. Brighton scored an equaliser through Joao Pedro nine minutes later.
Both the Arsenal fans and players appeared stunned by events from the past ten minutes.
Riccardo Calafiori has replaced Leandro Trossard, but Brighton are now asserting their dominance on this match.
Right place, right time 🎯João Pedro slots home the leveller against 10-men Arsenal 👀📺 Watch Arsenal vs. Brighton live on @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/MnSXgjKstf
And Brighton have equalised, with Joao Pedro getting the leveller!
Lewis Dunk plays a sumptuous through ball that slices through the heart of the Arsenal defence.
The ball finds Welbeck, who produces a fine save from Raya but the rebound is gobbled up by Joao Pedro, smashing in the rebound.
What to make of that decision, then? Blimey. Presumably Rice has been booked (his second yellow) for nudging the ball away from Veltman… but then Veltman boots Rice! Extraordinary. The Arsenal fans are furious. 
 
 
Declan Rice has received a second yellow card, as Arsenal go down to ten men.
After giving away a free kick deep into the Brighton half, Rice prods the ball away from Joel Veltman, who then kicks out.
Veltman receives a yellow card, but a bemused Rice picks up a second yellow card and trudges off the pitch.
Arsenal almost pull off a tremendous start to the second half after some excellent build up play from Trossard and Jurrien Timber sets up Declan Rice, whose shot is blocked by Jack Hinselwood.
And the second half has commenced, with Arsenal restarting the match.
Henry and Saka are the only two Arsenal players to assist a goal in the first three games of a Premier League season 🤝 pic.twitter.com/YMj3qFAYnR
Kai Havertz now has 10 goal involvements in his last 9 Premier League games at the Emirates 🔥May the apologies be as loud as the hate 👂 pic.twitter.com/krK8lDpV3d
This is an enjoyably tetchy and tight game. Brighton are causing problems, with Arsenal struggling to build their usual rhythm in midfield, but they made one defensive mistake and were punished for it. Bukayo Saka has started this season with real purpose and drive. He has already registered three assists (and scored one goal) in two and a half matches. 
Brighton earn a free kick after Joao Pedro’s delightful footwork bamboozled Bukayo Saka, before the Brazilian is brought down by Thomas Partey, who picks up a yellow card. 
The free kick is then cleared away before the half time whistle eventually blows.
Four minutes of stoppage time will be played at the Emirates.
And Leandro Trossard does well after controlling a terrific cross field pass, cutting inside from the left before firing a right footed effort that is held by Verbruggen.
A big sigh of relief is breathed by Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice, after he receives a yellow card for a very late challenge in the middle of the pitch.
The protests from Brighton manager Hürzeler then earn the German a booking, to the audible delight of the home supporters.
Brighton have defended very well in the last 25 minutes but that’s a terrible goal to concede. Lewis Dunk muscled out of an aerial challenge by Bukayo Saka… from a Brighton perspective, that simply cannot be happening. Superb finish by Kai Havertz. 
 
Arsenal break the deadlock and it’s Kai Havertz who gets onto the scoresheet with a wonderful lob over the goalkeeper after Saka brushes off Lewis Dunk and puts through Havertz on goal.
Kai Havertz, that is a beautiful finish 😮‍💨📺 Watch Arsenal vs. Brighton live on @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/YKrISUFfb4
One amusing feature of this first half is Leandro Trossard receiving a cascade of boos from the travelling support each time he receives the ball, before the Arsenal fans respond by heartily singing his name.
Though in truth, the Belgian has had a rather quiet 35 or so minutes in this match, with opposing defender Joel Veltman having the upper hand in their contests thus far.
Martin Odegaard looks to be in a fair amount of pain at the moment. He took two whacks in the space of a few minutes and is not moving well at all. Clearly he’s trying to run it off…
Kaoru Mitoma has gone close to opening the scoring for Brighton, after a fast break.
The Japanese winger’s first time volley bounces past the post after opposite winger Minteh hooks the ball across the penalty area.
Brighton are now beginning to grow into this match.
First, Joao Pedro shimmies past Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey on the left-hand side, before his low cross is intercepted by William Saliba.
Shortly afterwards, Brighton then force Arsenal into conceding a corner, but nothing comes of it.
I’m not sure if this is coming across on the television but it’s unusually windy inside the Emirates Stadium today. Windy conditions are famously tricky to play in, and it is perhaps no coincidence that both teams are playing quite a lot of long passes.
Odegaard now is down on the turf receiving treatment after being on the end of a hefty challenge.
He gingerly rises onto his feet, but looks like he will be fine to continue.
Arsenal are firmly on top in this match, and have another great opportunity.
Ben White’s excellent crossfield pass finds Leandro Trossard, whose whipped cross finds Odegaard in the middle, but the Arsenal captain’s effort is fired into the midriff of Verbruggen.
Brighton have been forced to make an early change, as Premier League stalwart James Milner has been replaced by Ayari.
Brighton have their first chance of the day, as Minteh plants a downward header that prompts goalkeeper David Raya into action, who springs to his left and palms the ball away before collecting the ball at his second attempt.
First impression here is that Brighton are playing a very high defensive line. That’s Fabian Hurzeler’s usual approach but most teams prefer to sit deeper when they come to the Emirates. Arsenal are already looking to get in behind. It could be a long afternoon for Jack Hinshelwood, playing out of position at left-back, as he goes up against Bukayo Saka.
Arsenal win a corner, as they are mounting significant pressure on Brighton’s goal.
But Declan Rice’s ball into the box bounces off defender Gabriel for a goal kick.
Saka has started this game very well, as he wins a free kick on the right hand side of the box.
The 22 year old’s delivery is poor, but he then combines with Martin Odegaard, who delivers a brilliant scooped pass into Saka’s path who can only fire the ball into Verburggen’s body.
Brighton make their first meaningful inroads into the Arsenal half, with Joao Pedro advancing with the ball on the left. But his pass into the middle is intercepted by Thomas Partey, as the home side play out from Brighton’s press.
Arsenal look threatening in these opening stages, with Bukayo Saka skating past Brighton defenders on the right hand side, before his cross from the byline is blocked, and Brighton scramble to clear the lines.
And the game is underway, with Brighton kicking off proceedings in their bright yellow shirts.
Kick off is almost upon us, as Arsenal’s pre-match anthem rings out around the Emirates.
Both teams boast former players within their respective attacks in great form, who will be keen to make their mark this afternoon.
Leandro Trossard, who scored with his first touch off the bench in Arsenal’s 2-0 win away at Aston Villa last week, played for Brighton between 2019 and 2023, scoring 25 Premier League during his time in east Sussex.
Meanwhile his former teammate Danny Welbeck, is looking to score in three consecutive Premier League games for the first time since January 2014.
The 33-year-old, played for Arsenal between 2014 and 2019, scoring 16 goals in 88 Premier League matches for the north London side.
Will either of these men end up haunting their former side today?
Arsenal have made three signings this week, two of which were completed yesterday on deadline day: Raheem Sterling (first) signed on loan from Chelsea, as well as 35-year-old goalkeeper Neto, (second) on loan from Bournemouth . On Tuesday, the club confirmed the signing of Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino (third) from Real Sociedad for an initial £27 million. 
All three signings, however, are not included in today’s matchday squad. Sterling and Neto were both not registered in time for today’s fixture, while Merino suffered an arm injury in his first training session with the club, which is expected to keep him on the sidelines for at least a few weeks.
Arsenal XIRaya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Trossard, Havertz.Subs: Setford, Martinelli, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri, Salah.
Brighton XIVerbruggen, Hinshelwood, Dunk, Van Hecke, Veltman, Baleba, Milner, Minteh, Mitoma, Welbeck, Pedro.Subs: Steele, Lamptey, Julio, Webster, Enciso, Rutter, Adingra, Ayari, Estupinan.
TEAM NEWS! 🚨 Here’s our starting XI to take on @Arsenal in the @PremierLeague. 📝 pic.twitter.com/Y6R1YK02FN
Meanwhile, the visitors have made two changes to their starting XI from their last-gasp win over Man Utd.
Bart Verbruggen comes in for Jason Steele in goal, while Cameroonian midfielder Carlos Baleba enters the team in place of Billy Gilmour, who joined Italian side Napoli yesterday.
🔴 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 ⚪️One change from last time out – Trossard replaces MartinelliLet’s keep this momentum going, Gunners ✊
Just one change in the starting XI for Arsenal, as former Brighton forward Leandro Trossard replaces Gabriel Martinelli on the left-hand side of the attack.
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the weekend’s first piece of Premier League action, as Arsenal take on Brighton at the Emirates Stadium, which kicks off at 12:30pm.
Despite just over twelve hours passing since the summer transfer window officially closed, some supporters may still need more time to process the flurry of arrivals and departures that took place on deadline day yesterday.
Arsenal fans, for instance had to wait until the early hours of this morning for winger Raheem Sterling’s loan signing from Chelsea to be announced. The 29-year-old, along with goalkeeper Neto from Bournemouth, both represent the club’s deadline day incomings, while notable exits yesterday included goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale to Southampton, striker Eddie Nketiah to Crystal Palace and wide forward Reiss Nelson departing to Fulham on loan.
Other than the sale of midfielder Billy Gilmour to Napoli in Serie A, Brighton meanwhile had a relatively quiet 24 hours, but still ended the summer window with one of Europe’s largest net spends, totalling over £157 million.
Focusing back to matters on the pitch now, this afternoon in north London promises to provide a very absorbing encounter between two teams who have both started their league campaigns strongly.
Arsenal have started their title pursuit with a pair of hard-fought 2-0 wins, at home to Wolves and away to Aston Villa last Saturday.
Mikel Arteta’s men have been in remarkable league form in 2024, winning 18 of their 20 Premier League matches during this calendar year, and are aiming to become the first Arsenal team to win nine straight league games since the ‘Invincibles’ did so two decades ago between January and March 2004.
However, today’s visitors Brighton have a penchant for upsetting the apple cart in north London, having emerged victorious in three of their previous five away trips to the Emirates Stadium.
New manager Fabian Hürzeler has made an impressive start to life as a Premier League manager, with a comprehensive 3-0 away win at Everton, and a dramatic late 2-1 triumph over Manchester United in his first competitive home match at the Amex Stadium.
Incredibly, the 31-year-old German has become the first Brighton manager to win their opening two league matches this century, and the admirers he has gathered in his first few months at the helm in east Sussex may rise considerably if he can guide his team to another memorable result at the Emirates.
In the other dugout, Arteta will know three points will be essential to maintain Arsenal’s early season momentum, especially given that two difficult away fixtures against Tottenham and Manchester City await his side, immediately after the international break.
Team news to follow.