Brighton hit back to deny Arsenal all three points

The points were shared at the Amex

Premier League weekend round-up

Arsenal stumbled in their attempts to keep the pressure on in the race for the top four as they dropped points at Brighton.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang opened the scoring but Jurgen Locadia's equaliser saw the points shared at the Amex.

Here's how it played out:

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[26 December 2018 17:42 · Nathan Jacobs]

26 mins: Brighton were just wrongfully awarded a corner but nothing really came of it. 

The ball fell to Montoya on the edge of the box but his shot went way way over. 

Slight improvement from the Seagulls, mind you. 

 

[26 December 2018 17:45 · Nathan Jacobs]

29 mins: CHANCE BRIGHTON! 

Good break from the Seagulls and Solly March, on the right hand side, runs down the line and finds Murray in the box but his shot back towards goal is too tame. 

Easy for Leno.

[26 December 2018 17:46 · Nathan Jacobs]

30 mins: SAVE MAT RYAN! 

Once again, Brighton's defence is left exposed as Torreira feeds Aubameyang over the top with a sublime ball. 

it catches Montoya ball watching and the Gabon international takes a great first touch to set himself and hit shot isn't bad too. 

But Mat Ryan stretches a hand to palm it away. 

[26 December 2018 17:51 · Nathan Jacobs]

35 mins: GOAL! Brighton 1-1 Arsenal! (Locadia)

Horrendous defending from Arsenal, as the goal comes from their own corner! 

Davy Propper lumps the ball down the field and for all the world it looks just like a long hump forward. 

Instead it turns out to be a masterful long ball as Lichsteiner's header is poor and doesn't get anywhere which leaves Locadia bearing down on goal. 

He rounds Leno and despite Guendouzi's best efforts, Locadia gives Brighton a rather undeserved equaliser. 

They have slowly grown into the game, mind you. 

[26 December 2018 17:55 · Nathan Jacobs]

39 mins: Brighton 1-1 Arsenal 

The Seagulls probably look the more likely to score with Montoya sending in a teasing ball towards Murray who can't direct his header and instead sees it go over. 

[26 December 2018 17:58 · Nathan Jacobs]

CHANCE ARSENAL! Brighton 1-1 Arsenal (42 mins)

Xhaka sure does know how to whip a ball in and his free-kick from the right hand side has all the right features.

It has to be dealt with and Bernardo does so... just. 

His header deflects over the bar for a corner but even he looks relieved. 

Had no idea where that one was going. 

[26 December 2018 18:02 · Nathan Jacobs]

Brighton 1-1 Arsenal 

Marcus Montoya is booked for a late tackle on Guendouzi.

It was one of those when you lose the ball after a bad touch but nothing more than a yellow. 

[26 December 2018 18:04 · Nathan Jacobs]

HALF TIME: Brighton 1-1 Arsenal 

No time for Arsenal's corner and despite the Gunners strong start to proceedings and appearing very comfortable, they have given a lifeline to Brighton following Lichsteiner's error. 

Aubameyang gave the Gunners the lead with a typically fantastic finish but Brighton have slowly fought their way back into the game and although they haven't created bags of chances, they've threatened Arsenal's leaky defence. 

[26 December 2018 18:05 · Nathan Jacobs]

SO while they keep scoring, this is also proving problematic for the Gunners... 

[26 December 2018 18:18 · Nathan Jacobs]

We're ready to get underway here in the second half and Emery has made another one of his famous half time changes. 

Mesut Ozil has been replaced by Alex iwobi. 

Big decision.