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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

Chris Wilson,Jamie Braidwood
Saturday 31 August 2024 17:01 BST
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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:

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FULL-TIME! Arsenal 1-1 Brighton

95 mins

Pedro was booked for a comment made to the ref there, just as Brighton line up the free-kick.

Rutter flicks the ball in but Arsenal clear easily.

The full-time whistle goes to boos around the Emirates, and it ends all-square at 1-1!

Chris Wilson31 August 2024 14:27
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Arsenal 1-1 Brighton

94 mins

Raya is booked for time-wasting, with Calafiori penalised for a late challenge moments later.

Brighton attack and Pedro wins a free-kick on the edge of the Arsenal area!

Chris Wilson31 August 2024 14:25
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Arsenal 1-1 Brighton

93 mins

Estupinan gets into another promising position, and Brighton win the corner. Enciso takes, and Raya punches away.

Brighton come again, with Enciso firing a cross into Rutter, who can only head into the ground!

The corner comes in but Pedro fires over.

Chris Wilson31 August 2024 14:24
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Arsenal 1-1 Brighton

91 mins

Saka is furious after the free-kick isn’t given when he falls under the challenge.

Brighton attack and the ball breaks for Baleba in the area, but Raya is quick off his line to collect.

Chris Wilson31 August 2024 14:22
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Arsenal 1-1 Brighton

90 mins

More pressure from Brighton as Baleba rifles in one shot that is blocked by Gabriel, before firing the rebound over.

There’ll be a minimum of six minutes of added time.

Chris Wilson31 August 2024 14:20
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Arsenal 1-1 Brighton

86 mins

Brighton have brought on Julio Enciso and Simon Adingra for Welbeck and Mitoma.

Saka finds himself isolated again as he tried to lead Arsenal out of their half, and moments later Rutter fires a half-volley over.

Chris Wilson31 August 2024 14:18
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Why was Declan Rice sent off against Brighton?

Declan Rice was dismissed from Arsenal’s Premier League match against Brighton after kicking the ball away as Joel Veltman was about to take a free kick for the visitors.

Kai Havertz’s opening goal had sent the Gunners into the lead and the score was 1-0 when Rice was shown the red card early in the second half.

Rice had previously arrived late with a tackle on Veltman in the first half which saw him clip the defender’s leg and earn a first yellow of the match.

Just before the incident, Veltman had been awarded a free kick deep in his own half and looked to take the set piece quickly. Rice nudged the ball away just as the Brighton man took the kick and he followed through to hitting Rice on the leg.

The game was stopped and the referee decided that kicking the ball away was the initial offence and Rice was at fault.

Why was Declan Rice sent off against Brighton?

The Gunners midfielder picked up a second yellow card after kicking the ball away in the second half

Chris Wilson31 August 2024 14:15
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Arsenal 1-1 Brighton

84 mins

There’s a little lull in activity at the Emirates – dare I say that both sides look like they’d settle for this result?

Raya goes long with a free-kick, and it comes to Saka, but nobody is there at the end of his clipped ball into the box.

Chris Wilson31 August 2024 14:14
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Arsenal 1-1 Brighton

81 mins

Timber, who looks okay as he trudges off, comes off for Zinchenko.

Brighton attack once more, and Ben White does well to slide in and take the ball away from the overlapping Mitoma.

A first Brighton corner goes behind for another, and the second is headed wide by van Hecke. There was a clash of heads, and Rutter has stayed down, but he’s okay to carry on.

Chris Wilson31 August 2024 14:13
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Arsenal 1-1 Brighton

77 mins

Chance for Brighton now! There’s pinball in the box and it falls to Ayari – he’s got half the goal to aim at, as Raya has fallen, but it’s straight at the Spaniard!

Moments later, Arsenal counter and it’s swept wide to Havertz, who fizzes it across to Saka, but the England winger can only get weak contact on it and directs it right at Verbruggen.

Crazy stuff at the Emirates, and Jurrien Timber is receiving treatment.

Chris Wilson31 August 2024 14:08

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