Arsenal’s hopes of reducing the gap to Premier League leaders Liverpool were dented by the Gunners’ 1-1 draw away at Brighton.
Ethan Nwaneri gave the visitors a first-half lead, but the hosts hit back after the break and deservedly equalized when Joao Pedro converted from the penalty spot.
Mikel Arteta’s side may have been lucky to leave the south coast with something after a spirited second-half performance could have handed Fabian Hurzeler’s side their first win in seven years.
Given that five of those games ended in draws, it was perhaps unsurprising that the Seagulls took a point from a game that intrigued more than thrilled.
The result means Arsenal move to within five points of Liverpool, but the Reds have played two games less.
Brighton now move up to 11th place.
Points split in Brighton.
A chance to quickly turn the page on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/OvxH20cvqa
– Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 4, 2025
How the action developed
Nwaneri, playing in only his second Premier League game, opened the scoring after a quarter of an hour; The teenager finished the game well after playing an incisive passage of play against Arsenal’s right flank alongside Declan Rice and Mikel Merino.
From then on the game was largely uneventful; two teams with similar possession styles seem to cancel each other out.
ETHAN NWANERI! 🔥
The 17-year-old puts Arsenal ahead in just his second Premier League start 😲 pic.twitter.com/NnXFZfrDfq
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 4, 2025
It felt more like a battle of brains than brawn. The lively Simon Adingra had a chance for the hosts just after half an hour, but the Ivorian grabbed the shot, which went wide of the goal.
Merino then headed over from a corner, meaning Arsenal went into the break with an advantage.
In the second half there were substitutions on both sides. However, the dynamics of the game remained largely the same.
But just before the hour mark the pendulum swung for Brighton when they were awarded a penalty after William Saliba fouled Joao Pedro as he attempted a header in the penalty area.
In a rather unusual turn of events, Pedro hurled the ball high before it was caught with Saliba’s head as the Brazilian turned away.
Joao Pedro scores the penalty to equalize against Arsenal! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/dbI6H0E9dv
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 4, 2025
Referee Anthony Taylor initially seemed hesitant, but eventually awarded the penalty. The host’s number nine recovered and confidently converted the penalty to equalize.
Brighton then almost took the lead when Yankuba Minteh’s shot and cross narrowly evaded the onrushing Kaoru Mitoma.
It was the last good chance in a game in which there were surprisingly few clear chances.
