Both teams are undefeated after the draw in London, but considering the expectations before the season and the match picture, it was a disappointment for Arsenal.
German Kai Havertz gave Arsenal the planned lead in the 38th minute, but in the opening of the second act, Brighton got a ticket into the match.
Arteta stunned
Then, home team player Declan Rice received his second yellow card in the match and was sent off. The second warning came after he kicked the ball away after a whistle, while an opponent tried to start the game.
We started the second half well, but then comes the decision that completely changes the match picture, says Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta.
He believes that similar offenses occurred during the match without the referee giving a yellow card. Arteta was – at least – stunned over the warning Rice received. The Spaniard used the word stunned three times in a row after the match.
Due to how inconsistent the decisions can be, says Arteta, according to news agency AP.
He got support from his player Bukayo Saka, who set up the lead goal.
João Pedro (in Brighton) kicked the ball away over half the pitch in the first half but didn't get anything (yellow card) for it, says Saka.
Arsenal – which had started the season with two straight 2–0 wins against Wolverhampton and Aston Villa – had to see Brighton equalize just over ten minutes after the sending-off.
Early substitution for Ayari
Yankuba Minteh ran through on a deep pass, but David Raya in the Arsenal goal saved. However, not well enough for João Pedro to send in the return to the final result 1–1.
In the previous round, João Pedro scored the winning goal (2–1) at home against Manchester United in the fifth added minute. In the premiere, it was a 3–0 win against Everton for Brighton.
Swedish national team player Yasin Ayari had to come on as early as the 17th minute for Brighton. Then, veteran James Milner had to break due to injury. It is the third match in a row that the 20-year-old Swede is substituted in.
In the final stage, the former AIK player got a great opportunity to decide, but the finish was blocked by David Raya's leg.
