Arsenal’s hopes of closing the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool were dealt a blow as the Gunners were held to a 1-1 draw at Brighton.
Ethan Nwaneri put the visitors ahead in the first half, but the hosts hit back after the break, deservedly equalizing when Joao Pedro scored from the penalty spot.
Mikel Arteta’s side may have been lucky to leave the south coast with anything after a lively second half from Fabian Hurzeler’s side could have resulted in a first win in seven.
But given that five of those games ended in draws, it was perhaps no surprise that the Seagulls got a point in a match that intrigued more than excited.
The result means Arsenal move to within five points of Liverpool, but with the Reds having played two games less.
Brighton, meanwhile, moved up to 11th place.
Share the points in Brighton.
An opportunity to quickly turn the page on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/OvxH20cvqa
–Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 4, 2025
How the action took place
Nwaneri, who was making his second Premier League start, opened the scoring after a quarter of an hour; the teenager finished well after an incisive passage of play down Arsenal’s right side involving Declan Rice and Mikel Merino.
From there, the game was uneventful; two teams with similar possession-based styles seeming to cancel each other out.
ETHAN NWANERI! 🔥
The 17-year-old gives Arsenal the lead in just his second Premier League start 😲 pic.twitter.com/NnXFZfrDfq
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 4, 2025
It seemed more like a battle of brains than a battle of brawn. The lively Simon Adingra had a chance for the hosts shortly after the half-hour mark, but the Ivorian latched on to the shot, which ended up well wide of the goal.
Merino then headed in from a corner as Arsenal went into the break with the advantage.
The second half saw substitutions on both sides. But the dynamics of the game remained largely the same.
However, just before the hour mark the pendulum swung in Brighton’s favor when they were awarded a penalty after William Saliba was adjudged to have fouled Joao Pedro as he attempted to score with a header in the surface.
In a rather unusual turn of events, Pedro threw the ball before being caught by Saliba with his head as the Brazilian swiveled.
Joao Pedro converts from the spot to equalize against Arsenal! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/dbI6H0E9dv
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 4, 2025
Referee Anthony Taylor initially appeared hesitant, but eventually awarded the kick. The host’s number nine rose to his feet and confidently sent home the penalty to level the score.
Brighton then almost took the lead when Yankuba Minteh’s shot and cross narrowly escaped Kaoru Mitoma’s finish.
This proved to be the last decent chance in a match that was surprisingly light on clarity.
