Sports
Brighton Hold Arsenal To 1-1 Draw After Rice’s Red Card
By Benjamin Abioye
![Arsenal Brighton 1 - 1](https://gwg.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/images-13_1.jpeg)
Brighton secured a 1-1 draw against Arsenal in a lively match in north London after a second-half goal by Joao Pedro.
Arsenal had taken the lead in the 38th minute when Bukayo Saka set up Kai Havertz, who calmly chipped the ball over Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen to make it 1-0. The Gunners seemed on track to extend their perfect start to the season.
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However, the momentum shifted early in the second half when Arsenal’s Declan Rice was shown a second yellow card in the 49th minute for delaying a free kick by Joel Veltman. Rice’s dismissal forced Arsenal to play with 10 men for the rest of the match. Interestingly, Veltman, who appeared to be involved in the same incident, escaped without a booking.
Brighton capitalized on the numerical advantage and applied increasing pressure. Their efforts paid off in the 58th minute when Yankuba Minteh’s shot was parried by Arsenal keeper David Raya, only for Joao Pedro to slot the ball home from close range, leveling the score.
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Arsenal nearly reclaimed the lead when Havertz had another chance on goal, but his shot was saved by Verbruggen. Brighton continued to press for a winner, with substitute Yasin Ayari forcing a save from Raya. The Seagulls then introduced their new £39.5 million signing Georginio Rutter, but his mistimed header failed to make an impact as the match ended in a draw.
Brighton’s resilience and Arsenal’s numerical disadvantage set the stage for an entertaining contest, though neither side could find a decisive goal to claim all three points.
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