The Gunners miss the chance to make ground on leaders Liverpool

Arsenal’s hopes of closing the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool at home took a hit as the Gunners were held to a 1-1 draw at Brighton.

Ethan Nwaneri gave the visitors the lead in the first half but the home side hit back after the break, deservedly equalizing when Joao Pedro scored from the penalty spot.

Mikel Arteta’s side may have been lucky to leave the south coast with anything after a spirited second-half display from Fabian Hurzeler’s side could have delivered a first win in seven.

But given that five of those games have been drawn, it was perhaps unsurprising that the Seagulls got a point from a game that intrigued rather than thrilled.

The result means Arsenal move within five points of Liverpool, but with the Reds having played two fewer games.

Brighton, meanwhile, rises to 11th.

Sharing the points in Brighton.

A chance to turn the page quickly on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/OvxH20cvqa

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 4, 2025

How the action unfolded

Nwaneri, in just his second start in the Premier League, opened the scoring after a quarter of an hour; the teenager finished well after some incisive play down Arsenal’s right flank involving Declan Rice and Mikel Merino.

From there, the game was largely uneventful; two teams with similar possession-based styles that seem to cancel each other out.

ETHAN NWANERI! 🔥

The 17-year-old puts Arsenal ahead in just his second Premier League start 😲 pic.twitter.com/NnXFZfrDfq

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

It seemed more like a battle of brains than brawn. The lively Simon Adingra had a chance for the home side just after the half-hour mark but the Ivorian’s shot went wide of the goal.

Merino headed home from a corner as Arsenal went into the break with a lead.

The second half saw substitutions from both sides. But the momentum of the game remained pretty much the same.

However, just before the hour, the pendulum swung Brighton’s way when they were awarded a penalty after William Saliba was adjudged to have fouled Joao Pedro when he called for a header from the area

In a rather unusual turn of events, Pedro flicked the ball up before being caught with Saliba’s head as the Brazilian deflected.

Joao Pedro converts from the spot to equalize against Arsenal! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/dbI6H0E9dv

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

Referee Anthony Taylor initially seemed hesitant, but eventually awarded the throw. The home number nine stepped up and confidently kicked the penalty to level the scores.

Brighton came close to taking the lead when Yankuba Minteh’s shot and cross narrowly eluded the oncoming Kaoru Mitoma.

It turned out to be the last decent chance in a surprisingly light game with the clears.