Brighton vs Arsenal LIVE: Premier League result and reaction as Joao Pedro equaliser secures point for hosts
Brighton 1-1 Arsenal: The Gunners are now five points behind league leaders Liverpool who have two games in hand
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Your support makes all the difference.Arsenal dropped more points in their pursuit of Liverpool in the Premier League title race after a bizarre incident between William Saliba and Joao Pedro resulted in a Brighton equaliser at the Amex Stadium.
The Gunners, freshly renewed in front of goal, were confident that they could collect all three points this afternoon and things started well with teenage sensation Ethan Nwaneri cutting in from the right and curling home a left-footed strike that reminded of Bukayo Saka’s best goals.
Arsenal took the lead but then settled for it. They took time out of the match and allowed Brighton possession instead of doggedly hunting a second goal. Fortune then favoured the hosts.
Pedro received a pass inside Arsenal’s box and looked to control it with a header just as Saliba attempted to nod the ball clear. The defender arrived too late and headbutted Pedro resulting in a strange penalty being awarded to the hosts.
Pedro converted from the spot and, despite some attacking substitutions from Mikel Arteta, Arsenal were unable to restore their advantage.
Relive the action with our live blog below:
Brighton 0-1 Arsenal
43 mins: Adingra floats a ball into the box from the left wing and sends it straight into the arms of David Raya. The Arsenal goalkeeper is confident plucking the ball out of the air and it’ll be another frustrating moment of ‘what if’ for the hosts.
Brighton have played okay but they’ve not threatened much.
Brighton 0-1 Arsenal
40 mins: Another corner for Arsenal. This one is taken by Declan Rice and he perfectly picks out Mikel Merino.
Merino flings himself at the ball and nods it over the top before following through and landing on Gabriel Jesus. The two Arsenal men stay on the deck but both are fine to continue after regaining their breathe.
Brighton 0-1 Arsenal
37 mins: Estupinan is having trouble handling Nwaneri. The youngster is doggedly hounding him whenever the defender has possession and wins Arsenal a corner.
This one is poor as the delivery, from Nwaneri, is curled straight out of play.
Brighton 0-1 Arsenal
34 mins: Chance!
Brighton should be level, or at least close to it. Matt O’Riley bursts down the left side of the box and collects a pass before checking his run and sending it inside to Simon Adingra.
He’s got a direct sight of goal and, at the very least needs to trouble David Raya, but instead leans back on his effort and lifts the ball high and wide.
Brighton 0-1 Arsenal
31 mins: Brighton’s final third passing has been a little wayward which is gifting the ball back to the Gunners despite the hosts managing to get into decent positions on the pitch.
Arsenal aren’t overexerting themselves. They’re managing the game already with two-thirds of the match still to play.
Brighton 0-1 Arsenal
28 mins: After a big delay in setting up a free kick, Arsenal faff about with a training ground move that sends the ball into the box for an easy clearance by Joao Pedro.
The Gunners are confident though and they’ll be keen to add to their lead.
Brighton 0-1 Arsenal
25 mins: Ethan Nwaneri is just the sixth player to score multiple Premier League goals before turning 18 after Wayne Rooney (7), Michael Owen (5), Danny Cadamarteri (3), James Milner (3) and Federico Macheda (2).
Brighton 0-1 Arsenal
22 mins: David Raya is down for Arsenal. He’s receiving a bit of treatment which allows Mikel Arteta to issue some new instructions from the sidelines.
The goalkeeper is fine to play on and gets the game restarted.
Brighton 0-1 Arsenal
19 mins: That goal has sent the volume of the Arsenal fans into a crescendo as they celebrate the fact one of their academy graduates has given them the opener.
Brighton has responded well, they’re coming forward and putting the pressure on the Gunners.
GOAL! Brighton 0-1 Arsenal (Ethan Nwaneri, 16’)
Arsenal lead!
Mikel Merino slots the ball out wide to Declan Rice who brings it forward before slipping a pass inside past Pervis Estupinan and picking out Ethan Nwaneri.
The youngster drives into the box and, much like Bukayo Saka, rolls the ball onto his left foot then smokes a low effort past Bart Verbruggen to give the lead to Arsenal.
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