Gunners Stumble in Title Chase as Brighton Battle to a Draw

Ethan Nwaneri’s brilliance wasn’t enough as Brighton held the Gunners to a controversial 1-1 draw.

January 4, 2025
9:09 pm

Arsenal had a frustrating night at the AMEX Stadium, settling for a 1-1 draw against Brighton in a hard-fought Premier League match. While the Gunners extended their unbeaten away streak to six games, they dropped some crucial points in the title race.

Going into the game, Arsenal knew they needed a win to keep their title hopes alive. But Brighton, eager to find their form, put up a strong fight. The Gunners got off to a great start when 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri showed off his skills, scoring a beautiful goal from a precise through ball by Mikel Merino in the 16th minute. This goal made him the youngest player to score twice in the Premier League—what a milestone!

Even with the lead, Arsenal struggled to find their groove against a well-organized Brighton team. The hosts, desperate for a win after eight matches without one, made things tough for Mikel Arteta’s squad. Simon Adingra had the best chance for Brighton in the first half but missed after being set up by Matt O’Riley.

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Brighton’s hard work paid off early in the second half. A controversial penalty in the 58th minute allowed João Pedro to score from the spot after William Saliba’s clearance barely touched him. The VAR decision frustrated Arsenal’s bench and fans.

Arsenal pushed for a winner, with Declan Rice orchestrating play and Nwaneri almost adding another goal. But Brighton held strong, with Bart Verbruggen making some key saves against Gabriel Jesus and substitute Leandro Trossard. Kaoru Mitoma and Yankuba Minteh nearly pulled off a stunning comeback for Brighton, but their shots just missed the mark.

This draw drops Arsenal to third place, with Manchester City and Chelsea pulling ahead in the title race. Brighton, despite their winless streak now at nine matches, snagged a valuable point that could help them stabilize this season.

Arsenal needs to bounce back quickly with a tough schedule ahead. With City and Chelsea gaining steam, the Gunners can’t afford any more slip-ups in their title chase. Brighton, on the other hand, will look to build on this result and climb out of mid-table obscurity.