Brighton ended Arsenal‘s winning start to the new Premier League season with a 1-1 draw at the Emirates on Saturday, with the home side holding on for a point after Declan Rice‘s controversial second-half sending off.
Arsenal dominated the first half and deservedly lead at the interval after Kai Havertz finished brilliantly in the 38th minute, having been played in expertly by Bukayo Saka.
However, four minutes into the second half, Arsenal’s task was made all the harder when Rice was sent off after picking up a second yellow card for delaying a Brighton free kick by kicking the ball away.
Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
The decision enraged the home crowd who had expected Brighton defender Joël Veltman to be punished for kicking Rice as the Arsenal midfielder tapped the ball out of his path.
Brazilian striker Joao Pedro fired Brighton level 12 minutes later.
Both sides missed presentable chances to win the contest late on, but they each had to settle for a point.