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
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:
Bukayo Saka has chance to equal Thierry Henry record for Arsenal
After contributions in the wins over Wolves and Aston Villa, Bukayo Saka could become the first Arsenal player since Thierry Henry in 2004-05 to assist a goal in the first three games of a top-flight season.
Meanwhile, in 2024, only Cole Palmer and Erling Haaland have been involved in as many Premier League goals as Kai Havertz. The German has also scored in each of his last three league meetings with Brighton, including the 3-0 win at the Amex last season.
Brighton looking to maintain winning start under Fabian Hurzeler
Fabian Hurzeler is the first Brighton boss to win his opening two league games in charge since Micky Adams in April 1999. The 31-year-old has so far overseen a thumping win against Everton and a dramatic late victory against Manchester United last weekend.
In fact, Brighton could win their opening three games of a Premier League season for the first time, if they win at Arsenal this afternoon. Their last victory at the Emirates came towards the end of the 2022/23 season.
Meanwhile, after scoring against Everton and Manchester United, Danny Welbeck is looking to score in three consecutive Premier League appearances for the first time since January 2014.
Team news
Just one change for the home side from their win over Villa – Leandro Trossard comes in for Gabriel Martinelli.
For Brighton, there is also just one change; Billy Gilmour comes out as he has left for Napoli, and Carlos Baleba comes in.
Arsenal vs Brighton line-ups
Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Gabriel, Saliba, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Partey; Saka, Havertz, Trossard
Subs: Setford, Kiwior, Calafiori, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Lewis-Skelley, Nwaneri, Martinelli.
Brighton XI: Verbruggen; Veltman, van Hecke, Dunk, Hinshelwood; Milner, Baleba; Minteh, Pedro, Mitoma; Welbeck.
Subs: Steele, Lamptey, Julio, Webster, Enciso, Rutter, Adingra, Ayari, Estupinan.
Mikel Arteta says Arsenal ‘very happy’ for Aaron Ramsdale after Southampton move
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta thanked Aaron Ramsdale as the England international goalkeeper completed a £25m move to Southampton on deadline day. Ramsdale helped Arsenal back into the top four as the Gunners become a force again in the Premier League before he was replaced by David Raya last season.
“First of all, thank you so much for what he’s done for the club and for the team,” Arteta said. “When he joined, he brought a lot of charisma and energy and he was really good at that time.
“Things developed and he had a situation that was difficult for him, and he was insisting a lot that he was very happy when he plays. We tried to fulfil that desire that he had and he looked really excited and happy the other day.
“He’s joining a great club, a great coach and he looks really excited, so I think we’re all happy for him.”
Billy Gilmour completes move from Brighton to Napoli
Brighton sold midfielder Billy Gilmour to Napoli last night for an initial £12m. The Scotland international made 60 appearances for Brighton in two seasons at the club, following a move from Chelsea in 2022.
The move appeared to be off after Brighton’s new £25m midfielder Matt O’Riley suffered a ankle injury just 10 minutes into his debut, but the Italian club persisted and got the deal over the line with hours to spare.
Brighton’s technical director David Weir said, “Billy quickly established himself as a popular figure in the dressing room and was a key player last season when we competed in the Europa League for the first time.
“We wish him the best of luck with this move to Italy and thank him for his efforts with the club.”
Mikel Merino to miss ‘weeks’ of Arsenal action due to shoulder injury in ‘first training session’
Mikel Merino’s Arsenal debut is “weeks” away, according to Mikel Arteta, after the new signing sustained a shoulder injury within days of joining the club.
The midfielder, part of Spain’s Euro 2024-winning squad this summer, joined Arsenal from Real Sociedad.
Gunners fans were hoping they might see the 28-year-old debut for the club on Saturday, at home to Brighton in the Premier League, but Merino has already been sidelined with what appears to be “a small fracture”.
Speaking on Friday, Arteta said: “Very unfortunate, yesterday he had a collision and he has got a shoulder injury unfortunately. It looks like he is going to be out for a few weeks.
“First session with us. It was looking exciting, we were all very excited, everything was looking very good… He landed on the floor, and Gabi went on top of him.”
Mikel Merino to miss ‘weeks’ of Arsenal action due to shoulder injury
The new arrival appears to have a ‘small fracture’, according to coach Mikel Arteta
Arsenal have to be ‘proud’ of transfer business, says Edu
It was a busy end to the transfer window for Arsenal with the club selling striker Eddie Nketiah to Crystal Palace, goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale to Southampton and loaning Reiss Nelson to Fulham.
In the same window, the Gunners also sold Emile Smith Rowe on a permanent deal and signed Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori and Sain midfielder Mikel Merino, while bringing in Raheem Sterling and Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto on loan.
Sporting director Edu said: “A long day, a long transfer window but in the end, I think we as a club have to be proud once again. The way we are working together, the way we did all the deals.
“I think we are in a very good situation when see all the loan players in the right clubs. You see the signings we have like Riccardo and like Merino, so the players that we planned to sign, our targets, they are here. Also the players that we decided to sell, I think we sold them for the right price, to the right clubs, in the right way also which is important.
“So today to be here on the last day of the transfer window, to get someone like Sterling, who I believe will be someone very important for the squad, who is going to give a lot to the team. So it’s a pleasure, and in the end everyone – not only me because there are a lot of people working here as well – but it’s a pleasure we are finishing the transfer window.”
Raheem Sterling loan ‘makes sense’ for Arsenal - Edu
Arsenal’s sporting director Edu explains why the club made a late move in the transfer window to sign Raheem Sterling on loan.
“To be fair we never planned really to sign him when we started the transfer window, just to be very transparent, for different reasons.
“But we always say to everyone that you have to be prepared for every single scenario. So when that opportunity came to me, and I checked the squad, I checked how he plays, and spoke to Mikel [Arteta] of course. I spoke to Tim [Lewis], our vice-chairman, to check if everyone is comfortable for the step we are going to take, and it makes a lot of sense.
“It makes a lot of sense to have someone like him because I’m pretty sure he is going to add a lot in the squad. He has experience, he understands more than anyone the league, he’s played in the Champions League many times.
“He won the Premier League a few times as well, so I think he can add a lot to our squad and I feel really happy to see someone like him in our squad.”
Raheem Sterling sends message to Arsenal fans after completing loan move from Chelsea
Raheem Sterling shared a message to Arsenal fans after completing his loan move from Chelsea in the early hours of Saturday morning
The England winger, 29, completed a season-long loan move across the capital which was announced almost three hours after the Premier League transfer window closed.
“Hey Gooners, it’s Raheem here. Super excited to be signing for Arsenal and I can’t wait to see you all at the Emirates,” Sterling told fans in a social media message.
He had found himself frozen out at Chelsea under new manager Enzo Maresca, despite having three years remaining on his contract.
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