Gunners miss probability to make floor on leaders Liverpool

Arsenal’s hopes of closing the hole on runway Premier League leaders Liverpool have been dealt a blow because the Gunners have been held to a 1-1 draw away at Brighton.

Ethan Nwaneri gave the guests a first-half lead however the hosts hit again after the break, deservedly levelling when Joao Pedro scored from the penalty spot.

Mikel Arteta’s aspect have been maybe a contact lucky to go away the south coast with something after a spirited second-half exhibiting from Fabian Hurzeler’s group may have yielded a primary win in seven.

However provided that 5 of these video games have been attracts, it was maybe unsurprising that the Seagulls would get a degree from a recreation that intrigued greater than it excited.

The outcome means Arsenal transfer to inside 5 factors of Liverpool however with the Reds having performed two video games fewer.

Brighton, in the meantime, transfer as much as eleventh.

Sharing the factors in Brighton.

An opportunity to show the web page shortly on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/OvxH20cvqa

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 4, 2025

How the motion unfolded

Nwaneri, on solely his second Premier League begin, opened the scoring after 1 / 4 of an hour; {the teenager} ending nicely following an incisive passage of play down Arsenal’s right-hand aspect involving Declan Rice and Mikel Merino.

From there, the sport was largely uneventful; two groups with related possession-based types showing to cancel each other out.

ETHAN NWANERI! 🔥

The 17-year-old places Arsenal forward in solely his second Premier League begin 😲 pic.twitter.com/NnXFZfrDfq

— Sky Sports activities Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 4, 2025

It felt like extra like a battle of brains than brawn. The energetic Simon Adingra had an opportunity for the hosts shortly after the half hour mark however the Ivorian snatched on the shot, which ended up nicely broad of the aim.

Merino then headed over from a nook as Arsenal went into the break with the benefit.

The second half prompted substitutions from either side. However the momentum of the sport remained largely the identical.

Nevertheless, simply earlier than the hour mark, the pendulum swung the way in which of Brighton once they have been awarded a penalty after William Saliba was adjudged to have fouled Joao Pedro when difficult for a header within the field.

In a slightly uncommon flip of occasions, Pedro flicked the ball up earlier than being caught by Saliba along with his head because the Brazilian swivelled away.

Joao Pedro converts from the spot to equalise in opposition to Arsenal! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/dbI6H0E9dv

— Sky Sports activities Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 4, 2025

Referee Anthony Taylor appeared initially hesitant however finally awarded the spot kick. The host’s quantity 9 picked himself up and confidently dispatched the penalty to stage the rating.

Brighton then went near taking the lead when Yankuba Minteh’s shot-cum-cross narrowly evaded the oncoming Kaoru Mitoma.

It proved to be the ultimate respectable probability in a recreation surprisingly gentle on clear-cut ones.