31 AUGUST 2024
ARSENAL 1 ( Kai Havertz ) BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 1 (Joao Pedro)
PREMIER LEAGUE - at the EMIRATES STADIUM, LONDON N5.
Matchday 3 saw Albion travel to North London for a Premier League encounter with fellow high-fliers Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. The match was televised "live" by TNT Sports and broadcast over the airwaves on Talksport and BBC Radio Sussex Sport.
Both teams had 100% records to protect, having won both of their Premier League fixtures.
In their previous Premier League game the Albion had enjoyed a thrilling 2-1 win over Manchester United at the Amex on the 24 August and for their visit to the Emirates made two changes to their starting line-up from that game, with Bart Verbruggen replacing Jason Steele in goal and Carlos Baleba replaced Billy Gilmour in midfield, Gilmour having transferred to Serie-A side Napoli.
Midweek had seen the Seagulls defeat neighbours Crawley Town 4-0 at the Amex on the 27 August in the Carabao Cup Round 2.
Last time out Arsenal had won 2-0 at Aston Villa in the Premier on the 24 August and for Albion's visit Manager Mikel Arteta made one change to his starting line-up from that game, with former Albion favourite Leandro Trossard replacing Gabriel Martinelli. Former Albion defender Ben White was also in the Gunners starting line-up.
In their meetings in the Premier last season, the Arsenal won 2-0 at the Emirates on the 17 December 2023, with their goals coming from Gabriel Jesus (53m) and Kai Havertz (87m). In the reverse fixture at the Amex on the 6 April 2024 the Gunners completed the double with a 3-0 win, with their goals being scored by Bukayo Saka (33m, pen.,), Kai Havertz (62m) and Leandro Trossard (86m).
The Arsenal dominated the early stages and Bukayo Saka's effort was gathered by Bart Verbruggen in the Albion goal. In an isolated raid Yantuba Minteh's header was parried away by Arsenal keeper David Raya. Seagulls lost the services of the injured James Milner on 17 minutes, Yasin Ayari substituting.
Next. Arsenal Captain Martin Odegaard missed a good opportunity when sending a tame shot straight at Verbruggen, when he should have done better. The home side deservedly took the lead on 38 minutes when Saka's header eluded both Lewis Dunk and Jan Paul Van Hecke. which enabled Kai Havertz to run through and lob the ball over the advancing Verbruggen into the Albion net for the opener. 0-1.
Prior to the break Arsenal's Declan Rice picked up a yellow card for a late challenge on Albion defender Joel Veltman and Seagulls Head Coach Fabian Hurzeler also collected a yellow card for protesting that Rice's card should have been of the red variety.
Half-time 0-1.
The complexion of the game changed on 49 minutes when Veltman caught Rice and the England midfielder tapped the ball away in frustration, Referee Chris Kavanagh showed a second yellow card to the Arsenal player for time-wasting and then red and off went Rice for the first time in his career.
On 58 minutes Dunk sent a superb through ball down the middle and the lively Minteh raced through sending in a shot which keeper Raya parried into the path of Joao Pedro and the Brazilian fired in a low shot from 12 yards out for Albion's equaliser. 1-1.
Even with their adopted defensiveformation, Arsenal were still dangerous on the counter and Verbruggen made a fine save to deny Havertz and minutes later Saka saw his shot from Havertz's cross kept out by Verbruggen.
For the Albion, efforts by substitute Pervis Estupinan, Van Hecke, substitute Georginio Rutter, Carlos Baleba and substitute Ayari went close to snatching an Albion winner. A well-contested affair which in the end finished even with unbeaten records intact.
Final-score 1-1.
Match stats: Albion had 22 attempts at goal, with 4 on target and won 7 corners, free-kicks conceded - 7.
Arsenal had 11 attempts at goal, with 7 on target and won 3 corners, free-kicks conceded - 12.
VERDICT - A well-contested and at times feisty game at the Emirates ended all-square, with unbeaten records carried into the first international break. Outstanding for the Albion was goalscorer Joao Pedro.
At the time of the sending-off of Declan Rice, the Arsenal were in control of the game but from that moment on the Albion assumed control and in the end the 1-1 draw was probably a fair result.
Albion line-up (4-2-3-1):- Bart VERBRUGGEN; Joel VELTMAN (Pervis ESTUPINAN 72), Jan Paul VAN HECKE, Lewis DUNK (Capt), Jack HINSHELWOOD; James MILNER (Yasin AYARI 17), Carlos BALEBA; Yantuba MINTEH (Georginio RUTTER 72), Joao PEDRO, Kaoru MITOMA (Simon ADINGRA85); Danny WELBECK (Julio ENCISO 85).
Subs not used: Jason STEELE (G/K), Tariq LAMPTEY, Adam WEBSTER, Igor JULIO.
Arsenal line-up (4-3-3):- David RAYA; Ben WHITE, William SALIBA, Gabriel MAGALHAES, Jurrien TIMBER (Oleksandr ZINCHENKO 80); Martin ODEGAARD (Capt) (Gabriel MARTINELLI 74), Thomas PARTEY, Declan RICE; Bukayo SAKA, Kai HAVERTZ, Leandro TROSSARD (Riccardo CALAFIORE 59).
Subs not used: Tommy SETFORD (G/K), Jakub KIWIOR, JORGINHO, Myles LEWIS-SKELLY, Ethan NWANERI, Salah-Eddine OULAD M'HAND.
Referee: Chris Kavanagh (Leicestershire).
Fourth Official: John Busby.
VAR Official: Andy Madley.
Red Card: Arsenal: 1 - Declan Rice.
Yellow Cards: Albion: 3 - Yantuba Minteh, Joao Pedro, Fabian Hurzeler.
Arsenal: 5 - Declan Rice (2), David Raya, Jurrien Timber, Thomas Partey.
Possession: Albion - 64%. Arsenal - 36%.
TNT Sports Player of the Match: Joao Pedro (Albion).
Attendance: 60326.
RECENT TRANSFER ACTIVITY:
2024
29 AUGUST - MALICK YALCOUYE - (18) - Midfielder - joins STURM GRAZ (AUSTRIA) - on a season-long loan;
30 AUGUST - JEREMY SARMIENTO - (22) - Midfielder - joins BURNLEY - on a season-long loan;
30 AUGUST - AMARIO COZIER-DUBERRY - (19) - Midfielder - joins BLACKBURN ROVERS - on a season-long loan;
30 AUGUST - MAHMOUD DAHOUD - (28) - Midfielder - joins EINTRACT FRANKFURT (GERMANY) - on a permanent deal - on undisclosed terms;
30 AUGUST - ODELUGA OFFIAH - (21) - Defender - joins BLACKPOOL - on a season-long loan;
30 AUGUST - BILLY GILMOUR - (23) - Midfielder - joins NAPOLI (ITALY) - on a permanent deal - for a fee of £12 million, plus £4 million in add-ons.
ALBION'S SEPTEMBER 2024 FIXTURES:
14 SEPTEMBER - IPSWICH TOWN - Home - Premier League - kick-off 15.00.
18 SEPTEMBER - WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS - Home - Carabao Cup, Third Round - kick-off 19.45. "Live" on Sky Sports+.
22 SEPTEMBER - NOTTINGHAM FOREST - Home - Premier League - kick-off 14.00. "Live" on Sky Sports.
28 SEPTEMBER - CHELSEA - Away - Premier Leegue - kick-off 15.00.