Brighton’s João Pedro pegs back Arsenal for point after Declan Rice sees red
For Mikel Arteta, this was a timely reminder of just how fine the margins can be. With his side leading 1-0 thanks to Kai Havertz’s sublime lob in the first half, the Arsenal manager could have been forgiven for thinking his side were on their way to a third successive victory to start the season after securing the surprise loan signing of Raheem Sterling from Chelsea on deadline day.
Yet only four minutes of the second half had been played when disaster struck as Declan Rice was sent off in a bizarre moment when he tangled with Brighton’s Joël Veltman as he tried to take a free-kick. João Pedro went on to equalise for Fabian Hürzeler’s side as they kept pace with Arsenal and maintained their unbeaten record despite both sides having chances to claim all three points late on.
