Arsenal vs Brighton LIVE: Premier League result and final score after Declan Rice controversially sent off

Arsenal 1-1 Brighton: The game turned on Rice’s red card as Joao Pedro equalised for the visitors

Mikel Arteta bemoans 'inconsistency' after Declan Rice's red card in Arsenal draw

Arsenal dropped crucial points in the Premier League as Brighton claimed a draw at the Emirates following Declan Rice’s controversial red card.

With new signing Raheem Sterling watch on from the stands following his loan from Chelsea, Kai Havertz broke the deadlock with a lobbed finish before half-time

But Arsenal’s advantage was lost as Rice was sent off for a second yellow card after half time, as the midfielder kicked the ball away when Brighton’s Joel Veltman prepared to take a free-kick.

The Seagulls then equalised as Joao Pedro fired into an empty net after David Raya saved from Yankuba Minteh.

Both sides had chances to extend their winning starts to the season, with Havertz and Bukayo Saka missing golden opportunities on the counter-attack, while Raya had a big save to deny Yasin Ayari.

Follow all the action in the live blog below:

Arsenal vs Brighton LIVE

• FULL TIME! Arsenal 1-1 Brighton
• Joao Pedro grabs equaliser for Brighton after Declan Rice sent off early in second half
• 74’ CHANCE! Havertz through on goal but denied by Verbruggen (ARS 1-1 BHA)
• 58’ GOAL! Joao Pedro equalises for Brighton after Raya save! (ARS 1-1 BHA)
• 48’ RED CARD! Declan Rice sent off for second yellow card after HT
• Rice was sent off for nudging ball away as Veltman took free-kick
• 37’ GOAL! Havertz scores with lob after Saka beats Dunk (ARS 1-0 BHA)
• 17’ CHANCE! Trossard finds Odegaard, who volleys straight at Verbruggen (ARS 0-0 BHA)

[31 August 2024 09:45 · Jamie Braidwood]

Arsenal capture Raheem Sterling with cut-price deal

Raheem Sterling swapped Chelsea for Arsenal in the most eye-catching move of the day, after the winger had been told he was surplus to requirements by Blues manager Enzo Maresca.

The Independent understands that the move was completed after a deal sheet was submitted to the Premier League on time. Sterling joins Arsenal on loan until the end of the season after the clubs agreed there would be no fee and that his vast wages would be shared between them.

The winger escapes his Chelsea nightmare but still faces plenty of competition for a starting spot in the Arsenal team, with Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard already competing for a place on the left wing.

[31 August 2024 09:32 · Jamie Braidwood]

Arsenal vs Brighton: Predicted line-ups

Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Gabriel, Saliba, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Partey; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli.

Brighton XI: Steele; Veltman, van Hecke, Dunk, Kadioglu; Milner, Baleba; Minteh, Pedro, Mitoma; Welbeck.

[31 August 2024 09:31 · Jamie Braidwood]

Brighton team news

New Brighton signing Matt O’Riley will require surgery on his ankle after injuring it on his debut in the Carabao Cup, while fellow new signing Ferdi Kadioglu could be in line to make his debut, with Valentin Barco having gone on loan and Jack Hinshelwood preferred at left-back against United.

Solly March has been ruled out, but Evan Ferguson and Pervis Estupinan could feature after their respective returns from injury. Mats Wieffer is another doubt. Billy Gilmour joined Napoli on transfer deadline day.

[31 August 2024 09:29 · Jamie Braidwood]

Arsenal team news

In terms of injuries, Gabriel Jesus missed the win over Aston Villa with a groin problem, and he remains a doubt. Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney are still unavailable.

New signing Mikel Merino was expected to be in the squad to make his Arsenal debut, though he is now likely to miss ‘weeks’ after the club detected a ‘small fracture’.

Several players will likely have left Arsenal by the time this game comes round too, with Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson and Aaron Ramsdale completing moves away. Raheem Sterling has joined on loan, but is unavailable from today’s squad.

[31 August 2024 09:27 · Jamie Braidwood]

When is Arsenal vs Brighton?

Arsenal vs Brighton kicks off at 12.30pm BST on Saturday 31 August at the Emirates Stadium in London.

How can I watch it?

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports. Subscribers will also be able to watch via the Discovery+ app and website.

If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.

[30 August 2024 14:54 · Jamie Braidwood]

Arsenal vs Brighton

Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s live build up and coverage of Arsenal vs Brighton in the Premier League.

After yesterday’s transfer deadline day chaos, we will be recapping all the action and the biggest transfers, as well as the latest news from the Emirates.