Brighton 1-1 Arsenal: Gunners drop points in quest for Premier League title

Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw by Brighton as they missed the opportunity to close the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to three points.

Teenager Ethan Nwaneri scored his second league goal to give Arsenal a first-half lead, but Joao Pedro’s penalty after the restart secured The Seagulls a share of the spoils.

The 17-year-old stepped up in the absence of Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka as he grabbed the opener with his second league goal in the 16th-minute. After latching onto Declan Rice’s pass, he cut inside from the right flank and fired through Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.

The hosts might have felt they should have been level at the break after a mistake by Jorginho presented a golden chance for Simon Adingra but, off balance, he failed to find the target from 12 yards.

Brighton’s leveller came from the spot just past the hour-mark when Pedro was caught on the head by William Saliba, and the Brazilian forward stepped up to score from the resulting penalty.

The result leaves Mikel Arteta’s side five points adrift of Liverpool, who have two games in hand over their rivals and host Manchester United on Sunday, while Brighton move into the top half despite extending their winless run to eight matches.

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Arsenal will question the decision to give Brighton a second-half penalty. William Saliba clashed heads with Pedro and that was enough for referee Anthony Taylor to point to the spot, and VAR did not overrule his decision.

Nevertheless, The Gunners did not do enough to win the game thereafter; if anything, Brighton looked more likely to secure all three points.

Arsenal drop yet more points in their quest to win the Premier League title. A draw at Brighton means they are five points behind leaders Liverpool, who have two games in hand over their rivals.

Ethan Nwaneri’s opener represented a fine start for The Gunners, and by the end of the first half the teenager was booked for time-wasting and subsequently hooked at half-time.

It ended in frustration for the visitors, though, as Joao Pedro’s penalty earned Brighton a draw.

Liverpool can put more distance between themselves and Mikel Arteta’s side with a victory over Manchester United on Sunday.

Brighton have not won in eight games but this result takes them into the top half.

BRIGHTON 1-1 ARSENAL

Odegaard wins a free-kick for Arsenal on the right. It's whipped into the box but Calafiori heads over - and he is offside.

Trossard rifles over the bar from inside the box, much to the relief of the Brighton fans.

There will be at least SIX more minutes at the Amex!

Calafiori is booked for a foul on Joao Pedro.

Arsenal win a free-kick, which Rice whips into the box. Partey rises highest but can't keep his header down.

Is it going to be more dropped points from Arsenal in the title race?

Arsenal finally threaten with time running out but a crucial tackle by Estupinan stops Odegaard in his tracks.

From the resulting free-kick, Ayari curls a shot just wide from 30 yards.

Merino stops a Brighton counter-attack and goes into the book for his cynical foul.

Minteh is booked for dissent, protesting after a coming together with Gabriel.

Brighton might sense they can finally deliver a victory for their fans and end a seven-game winless run.

They are certainly asking more questions than Arsenal as we enter the final 10 minutes.

Minteh should score! He escapes from Calafiori down the right flank and unselfishly tries to pick out a team-mate but both Ayari and Mitoma fail to connect at the far post!

Odegaard, who has been fairly quiet since his introduction, delivers a cross from the right but it is headed clear by Van Hecke.

Calafiori forces a corner for Arsenal, and we know how dangerous they can be from set-pieces...

However, on this occasion Verbruggen claims quite comfortably.

It has not been Arsenal's night so far.

VAR has given its verdict...