Arsenal’s Premier League title ambitions took a hit as Joao Pedro’s second-half penalty secured a 1-1 draw for Brighton at the Amex Stadium.
The Gunners took an early lead when 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri, making just his second league start, slotted home after a clever exchange with Mikel Merino and Declan Rice.
Despite dominating the first half, Arsenal failed to extend their lead and paid the price after William Saliba’s awkward aerial challenge on Pedro resulted in a VAR-confirmed penalty. Pedro calmly converted, sending David Raya the wrong way.
Brighton almost grabbed a late winner when Yankuba Minteh curled wide from close range. The draw leaves Arsenal five points adrift of leaders Liverpool, having played two games more.
Mikel Arteta’s side battled injuries and squad rotation, with key players Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, and Martin Odegaard unavailable or limited. While Nwaneri’s early goal and composed performance impressed, Arsenal’s inability to convert their dominance into goals remains a concern.
Brighton, without a win in eight league games, showed resilience in the second half after head coach Fabian Hurzeler’s tactical changes. The introduction of Georginio Rutter and Minteh revitalised the Seagulls’ attack, creating space for Pedro to shine. Despite their ongoing winless run, Brighton’s spirited comeback provided a promising sign for the second half of their season.
