4 JANUARY 2025
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 1 ARSENAL 1
PREMIER LEAGUE - at the AMERICAN EXPRESS STADIUM, FALMER.
For their first game in 2025, the Albion welcomed high-flying Arsenal to the Amex for a Premier League fixture, covered "live" by Sky Sports and broadcast by BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio Sussex Sport.
Last time out, the Albion had drawn 2-2 at Aston Villa in the Premier on the 30 December 2024 and for the visit of Arsenal the Albion made three changes to their starting line-up from the Villa game, with Joel Veltman, Pervis Estupinan and Matt O'Riley coming in for Tariq Lamptey, Lewis Dunk (injured) and Julio Enciso.
In their previous outing, the Arsenal had won 3-1 at Brentford in the Premier on the 1 January 2025 and for the visit to the Amex, Manager Mikel Arteta made three changes to his starting line-up from the Brentford game, with Declan Rice, Jorginho and former Seagull Leandro Trossard replacing Jurrien Timber (suspended), Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli.
Last season, in their meetings in the Premier, the Arsenal did the double over the Albion, winning 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium on the 17 December 2023, with their goals coming from Gabriel Jesus (53m) and Kai Havertz (87m) and 3-0 at the Amex on the 6 April 2024, with the goals being scored by Bukayo Saka (33m, penalty), Kai Havertz (62m) and Leandro Trossard (86m).
Earlier this season, also in the Premier, the teams drew 1-1 at the Emirates, with Kai Havertz (38m) netting for the Gunners and Joao Pedro (58m) replying for the Seagulls.
In freezing conditions at the Amex, it was the Arsenal who created the first opportunity when Jorginho sent Gabriel Jesus clear but Albion keeper Bart Verbruggen saved well from the Brazilian striker, before the offside flag went up. However, on 16 minutes the visitors did take the lead when some fine combination play by Declan Rice and Mikel Merino enabled Ethan Nwaneri to race away down the right and the 17 year-old calmly slotted a low left-foot shot under Verbruggen for Arsenal's opener. 0-1.
The visitors continued to dominate the play and Jesus headed over from a Rice corner, whilst at the other end Simon Adingra fired wide after being set-up by Matt O'Riley.
Half-time 0-1.
Arsenal brought on Gabriel Martinelli for the injured Nwaneri at the start of the second-half and at the same juncture Albion made a double substitution, with Yankuba Minteh and Georginio Rutter replacing the ineffective Brajan Gruda and Matt O'Riley. These changes
by the Albion added a new dimension to their attacking play. On the hour mark the Seagulls were awarded a controversial penalty when Referee Anthony Taylor adjudged that defender William Saliba's head connected with Joao Pedro's head when making a headed clearance and VAR confirmed Taylor's decision. Pedro converted the resultant penalty with aplomb. Replays of the incident showed Saliba had headed the ball first. 1-1.
Albion, with their supporters behind them went close when substitute Kaoru Mitoma just failed to convert Minteh's cross and Yasin Ayari curled a free-kick wide of the post. Thomas Partey headed over the bar from Rice's free-kick and former Albion favourite Leandro Trossard fired a shot over the bar when well-placed. The game ended honours even.
Final-score 1-1.
Match stats: A
lbion had 11 attempts at goal, with 4 on target and won 2 corners, free-kicks conceded - 17.
Arsenal had 9 attempts at goal, with 3 on target and won 5 corners, free-kicks conceded - 14.
TO SUM UP - First-half - Arsenal. Second-half - Albion. Therefore a draw was a fair result. We also had the Saliba/Pedro penalty incident, which was a bit bizarre. Concerning for Albion is that they are now on a 8 match winless run (6 draws/2 losses) in the Premier. (By way of distraction, this weekend Albion travel to Norwich City for a third round FA Cup tie..)
Albion line-up (4-2-3-1):- Bart VERBRUGGEN; Joel VELTMAN, Jan Paul VAN HECKE, Igor JULIO (Adam WEBSTER 66), Pervis ESTUPINAN; Carlos BALEBA, Yasin AYARI; Brajan GRUDA (Yankuba MINTEH 46), Matt O'RILEY (Georginio RUTTER 46), Simon ADINGRA (Kaoru MITOMA 62); Joao PEDRO (Capt).
Subs not used: Jason STEELE (G/K), Tariq LAMPTEY, Jakub MODER, Solly MARCH, Julio ENCISO.
Arsenal line-up (4-3-3);- David RAYA; Thomas PARTEY, William SALIBA, Gabriel MAGALHAES, Riccardo CALAFIORI; Declan RICE, JORGINHO (Capt) (Martin ODEGAARD 64), Mikel MERINO; Ethan NWANERI (Gabriel MARTINELLI 46), Gabriel JESUS, Leandro TROSSARD.
Subs not used: NETO (G/K), Jakub KIWIOR, Myles LEWIS-SKELLY, Oleksandr ZINCHENKO, Kieran TIERNEY, Ismeal KABIA, Nathan BUTLER-OYEDEJI.
Referee: Anthony Taylor (Greater Manchester).
Fourth Official: Samuel Barrott.
VAR Official: Darren England.
Yellow Cards:
Albion: 2 - Joel Veltman, Yankuba Minteh. Arsenal: 3 - Riccardo Calafiori, Mikel Merino, Ethan Nwaneri.
Possession: Albion - 45%. Arsenal - 55%.
BBC Sport Player of the Match: Joao Pedro (Albion).
Attendance: 31714.
NEXT GAME:
11 JANUARY 2025 - NORWICH CITY - Away - FA Cup, Third Round - kick-off 15.00.
Jack Kaye.