Arsenal FC were held to a draw at Brighton after three league wins in a row. Fabian Hürzeler’s Seagulls were once again unable to get a win, but took a point off the runners-up in the table.
At the end of August, Brighton had already snatched a draw (1-1) from the north Londoners, but in the second leg on January 4, Arsenal were still considered the clear favorites. This was also because the Seagulls had remained winless for the seventh game in a row, drawing 2-2 at Aston Villa. In response, coach Fabian Hürzeler ordered Veltman, Estupinan and O’Riley into the starting lineup instead of Dunk (injured), Lamptey and Enciso (both on the bench).
The Gunners, meanwhile, had extended their unbeaten streak to twelve competitive games with the 3-1 win at Brentford, but again had to deal with personnel problems. While Havertz (ill) was again missing from the squad, the ailing captain Ödegaard, who was replaced by Jorginho, was benched. In addition, Rice and ex-Seagull Trossard started for Timber (5th yellow) and Gabriel Martinelli (bench).
Nwaneri scores to take the lead
This also meant that 17-year-old Nwaneri, who had recently made his Premier League debut, was once again in the starting lineup. He promptly justified this decision by sliding the ball home from a semi-right position to make it 1-0 to the Gunners in the 16th minute after a 15-minute opening phase.
Overall, however, neither offensive line was able to live up to their respective claims for the time being – there were too few noteworthy actions to marvel at in the Amex Stadium. The guests dominated the action without being able to pose any lasting problems for the opposing defense.
Arteta replaces his scorer at half-time
Meanwhile, the best opportunity of the first half came for Brighton’s forward Adingra, who shot just past the right-hand post after being set up by O’Riley (34′). The fact that a long-range attempt by Baleba three minutes later resulted in a throw-in with no opponent pressure or intervention was symbolic of the tough first 45 minutes.
Of all people, scorer Nwaneri, whose task on the right wing was taken over by Gabriel Martinelli, was then out of the game at half-time. In the opening phase after the restart, both teams appeared more active and combative, but were only able to raise the level from a playing perspective to a limited extent.
Joao Pedro forces penalty – and converts
It took a defensive error to set up the next big chance and the next goal. In fact, Saliba had headbutted opponent Joao Pedro in the own box, giving the Real Madrid defender the chance to take the penalty himself moments later. Joao Pedro mastered this task confidently and netted to make it 1-1 (61′).
Even with substitute Ödegaard (64′), the guests continued to lack the necessary creativity and penetration. It is telling that Arsenal only managed to create one goal-scoring opportunity in the second half – a harmless finish from Rice – until the final stages of the game.
So it remained a draw in the end – the fourth in a row from Brighton’s point of view. While the Gunners will face Newcastle in the League Cup on Tuesday (9 p.m.), the Seagulls do not have to play again until next Saturday, when they face Norwich in the FA Cup (4 p.m.).
