Arsenal title challenge suffers blow as Arteta's Gunners held at Brighton
Hove Brighton And Wire Battle Carlos Pic: The For Jonathan (left) Ball Brady/pa Rice Midfield Declan Tussle: Albion's Baleba Arsenal's And
ARSENAL’S title challenge suffered a setback as they missed out on the chance to increase the pressure on leaders Liverpool.
Unable to build on Ethan Nwaneri’s first half goal, Mikel Arteta’s side had to be satisfied with a solitary point after Joao Pedro’s penalty brought Brighton level.
The result means the north London side trail Liverpool by five points ahead of the Anfield club’s meeting with Manchester United on Sunday. It could have been worse for the Gunners who were second best for much of the second half as Albion went in search of a first win in eight games.
Arteta had been forced to start Martin Odegaard on the bench because of illness and the decision to introduce the Norwegian immediately after the home side equalised from a spot-kick awarded following a clash of heads between Pedro and William Saliba highlighted how much the manager felt his side had been weakened by the captain’s absence.
Odegaard’s presence wasn’t enough to inspire a response however, and the performance raised fresh questions about their ability to overhaul Liverpool during the remaining months of the season.
The 16th minute breakthrough came from one of the few incisive attacking moves during an often frustrating first half.
There had been little to suggest during a cagey opening that either side was capable of forcing the lead but when Brighton left the left hand side of their defence undermanned, Arteta’s side took full advantage.
A simple exchange of passes between Mikel Merino and Declan Rice drew Albion left-back Pervis Estupinan forward, creating a space that allowed Merino to deliver a forward pass that was picked up by Nwaneri, cutting in off the right.
The youngster was allowed to advance into the box unchallenged and place a left foot shot past Bart Verbruggen whose attempted save was unconvincing.
Brighton struggled to assert themselves but had a good chance to quickly level when Simon Adringa’s cross reached Brajan Gruda who was unable to get any power on his far post header.
An even better opportunity came in the 34th minute when Carlos Baleba caught Jorginho in possession deep in the Arsenal half and fed the ball to Pedro.
The Brazilian moved the ball towards Adringa wit the help of a neat touch from Matt O’Riley but the Brighton winger was off balance as he shot and succeeded only his slicing his shot wide.
Arsenal might not have particularly impressed during the first half but Brighton’s lack of intensity and cutting edge suggested Arteta’s side would continue to control the game.
There was a better tempo to Albion’s play after the break, however, helped by a double substitution.
And they were handed the chance to level when Saliba’s head made contact with Pedro, halting the forward’s run inside the Gunners area.
It was more late challenge than head butt and VAR supported referee Anthony Taylor’s view that there had been enough contact to justify a penalty and Pedro converted from 12 yards, sending David Raya the wrong way.
The goal lifted Brighton who were transformed from the side side that struggled to move through the gears in the first half. They had the better chances to find a winner but neither side could conjure a decisive final act.
Verbruggen 6; Veltman 8, Van Hecke 7, Igor 7 (Webster 66, 6), Estupinan 6; Baleba 9, Ayari 7; Gruda 5 (Georginio 46, 6), O’Riley 6 (Minteh 46, 6), Adingra 6 (Mitoma 63,6); Pedro 8.
Raya 6; Partey 6, Saliba 6, Gabriel 7, Calafiori 6; Rice 7, Jorginho 6 (Odegaard 64, 6), Merino 7; Nwaneri 7 (Martinelli 46, 6), Jesus 7, Trossard 6.
Anthony Taylor 6.