1-1! Arsenal's Iron Defender Concedes Penalty, Suffers Upset Draw, Now 5 Points Behind Liverpool with Two Games in Hand - Is the Title Liverpool's to Lose?
On the early morning of January 5th, Beijing time, the 20th round of the Premier League continued, with Arsenal, who had won three consecutive league matches, visiting Brighton, who had not won in seven league games. In the 16th minute, the 17-year-old youngster Nwaneri broke the deadlock. In the 59th minute, Saliba conceded a penalty, and Joao Pedro personally took the shot to equalize the score.
In the end, Arsenal suffered an upset draw, ending their three-match winning streak in the league and four-match winning streak in all competitions with a 1-1 draw against Brighton. Although the Gunners still maintained an unbeaten record of 13 matches in all competitions (9 wins and 4 draws), they are now five points behind Liverpool, who have played two fewer games, in the Premier League standings.
[Match Focus]
In this match, Martinelli and Odegaard were on standby on the bench, while Havertz did not even make the squad list. Arteta revealed in a pre-match interview that Odegaard and Havertz were both sick, and Martinelli also encountered some minor issues.
In the 16th minute, after a wonderful combination with Merino, Nwaneri broke into the penalty area and calmly scored.
Nwaneri created a team history for Arsenal, becoming the first player to score at least two goals before his 18th birthday, making history.
In the 18th minute, Jorginho aimed at the incoming ball inside the penalty area and attempted an overhead kick clearance, but missed. Unexpectedly, Adigla lived up to expectations by slipping and falling during his shot, unwilling to accept the gift.
In the 59th minute, the ball entered Arsenal's penalty area, Joao Pedro headed it out, and Saliba headed it onto Pedro's head, resulting in a penalty awarded by the referee.
In the 61st minute, Joao Pedro took the penalty himself, easily deceiving Raya to equalize the score.
[Exciting Moments]
In the 20th minute, Brighton's diagonal pass created a threat. Gruda made a cross from the back post, and Igor collided with Raya, who had already controlled the ball, causing Raya to painfully fall to the ground.
In the 34th minute, Arsenal's backline was dispossessed, and Adigla's shot once again failed to hit the target.
In the 40th minute, Arsenal earned a corner kick. Jesus headed towards goal, but Merino couldn't control himself and directly headbutted Jesus' shoulder.
In the 57th minute, Arsenal earned a free-kick in the frontcourt. Rice passed a low ball into the penalty area, but Merino only managed to touch it without forming a shot.
In the 77th minute, Mint's high-speed run and cross posed a significant threat. Brighton made a double attempt to intercept, but failed to touch the ball, allowing the Gunners to narrowly escape.
[Player Ratings]
[Starting Lineups]
Arsenal starting lineup: 22-Raya, 5-Thomas, 2-Saliba, 6-Gabriel, 33-Calafiore, 20-Jorginho (replaced by 8-Odegaard in the 62nd minute), 41-Rice, 23-Merino, 53-Nwaneri (replaced by 11-Martinelli in the 46th minute), 9-Jesus, 19-Trossard.
Arsenal substitutes: 32-Neto, 17-Zinchenko, 3-Tierney, 15-Kiwior, 49-Skelly, 37-Oyedegi, 46-Cabia.
Brighton starting lineup: 1-Verbruggen, 34-Vertman, 29-Vanhecke, 3-Igor (replaced by 4-Webster in the 66th minute), 30-Estupinan, 20-Balaba, 26-Ayari, 33-O'Reilly (replaced by 17-Mint in the 46th minute), 8-Gruda (replaced by 14-Luton in the 46th minute), 11-Simon Adigla (replaced by 22-Mitsuru in the 63rd minute), 9-Joao Pedro.
Brighton substitutes: 23-Steel, 2-Lamptey, 7-March, 10-Enssio, 15-Modder.