Rice Sees Red as Brighton Holds Arsenal to Stalemate
August 31, 2024
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Declan Rice’s clumsy red card cost Arsenal two points at the top of the table as Brighton came from behind to draw 1-1 at the Emirates Stadium.Arsenal controlled the first half, and after Martin Odegaard missed a golden chance to give the Gunners the lead, Bukayo Saka’s brilliant play set up Kai Havertz to chip Bart Verbruggen for the opener.However, Arsenal’s concerns became more immediate when Yankuba Minteh burst through on goal, and while David Raya saved his initial effort, Joao Pedro tucked home the rebound.Brighton had Arsenal penned into their own penalty area for most of the second half but then a stunning end-to-end encounter ensued.
First, Havertz saw a one-on-one chance on the counter saved by Verbruggen and Saka’s rebound was blocked. Brighton nearly scored at the other end as Raya saved from substitute Yasin Ayari when the goal was gaping.
The German then laid the ball on for Saka at the other end in another counter-attack, but his effort was held by the Brighton goalkeeper once again.
Brighton were stunned by those flurry of Arsenal chances and were a little more tense despite the extra man. Georginio Rutter and Carlos Baleba both blazed over as they failed to make the advantage count.
