Arsenal held by Brighton after Rice's controversial dismissal

Arsenal 1 (Havertz 38)

Brighton and Hove Albion 1 (Joao Pedro 58)

Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw at home against Brighton and Hove Albion after Declan Rice was sent-off, leaving the Gunners with 10 men for most of the second half.

Kai Havertz had given the home side the lead after 38 minutes, but Brighton equalised through Joao Pedro following Rice's dismissal.

The England man was given his marching orders when he kicked the ball away at a free-kick - his second yellow card after a rash tackle in the first half.

As he kicked the ball away, Joel Veltman's action in attempting to take the kick floored Rice, leaving the Emirates crowd calling for the Brighton man to be sent off. But referee Chris Kavanagh had spotted the earlier infringement - and Rice's game was up.

It's often the case that, for whatever reason, these early kick-offs are somewhat lethargic affairs. But Arsenal came out of the traps flying today - Bukayo Saka in particular looking in the mood, giving left-back Jack Hinshelwood all sorts of problems early on - twisting him one way then the other as the home side dominated the early ball.

He was kicked to the floor on more than one occasion but the referee saw no need to get his book out - making Rice's soft dismissal all the more harsh.

Despite their early dominance, it wasn't until the 18th minute that the Gunners fashioned their first real chance. Leandro Trossard, starting down Arsenal's left against his former employers, crossed for Martin Odegaard - but the Norwegian failed to make sufficient connection with his volley and it was an easy save for Bart Verbrugen.

But the visitors began to grow into the game. Thomas Partey gave the ball away in the middle of the pitch and as the Brighton attack developed, a bouncing ball fell to Kaoru Mitoma, who caught the ball well on the volley, but his left-footed effort was wide.

Havertz gave Arsenal the lead after 38 minutes. Saka beat his defender to a bouncing ball and hooked it into the oath if the former Chelsea man. As Verbrugen came rushing out, Havertz showed calm to lob it over his head and into an empty net.

The goal was timely for the Gunners, who were beginning to look rather sloppy.

Trossard cut in from the left and shot low just before the break, but Verbrugen saved comfortably.

Arsenal almost doubled their lead immediately upon the restart - Declan Rice's curling effort blocked on its way towards the far corner.

Then came the moment of the match - Rice's dismissal.

And within minutes Brighton were level. Yankuba Minteh's shot was parried by Raya - but only into the path of Joao Pedro, who tapped home the equaliser.

Brighton thereafter had the majority of the ball. But both sides had great chances to win it. Both Havertz and Saka were denied by Verbrugen - both should have scored. While at the other end Raya denied the Seagulls with a terrific save with his legs.

But neither could find a winner.

Teams:

Arsenal: Raya, Saliba, White, Partey, Gabriel, Saka, Odegaard (Martinelli 73), Timber (Zinchenko 80), Trossard (Calafiori 59), Havertz, Rice

Brighton: Verbruggen, Dunk, Milner (Ayari 17), Pedro, Minteh (Rutter 72), Welbeck (Enciso 85), Baleba, Mitoma (dingra 85), van Hecke, Veltman (Estupinan 72), Hinshelwood

Referee: Chris Kavanagh

Picture: Charlie Stong