Victims of inconsistency or undisciplined? Arsenal 1-1 Brighton exposes damaging Arteta stat

Arsenal dropped two points in their final Premier League match before the international break.

Mikel Arteta’s men were held to a 1-1 draw by Brighton & Hove Albion at the Emirates Stadium, with both teams maintaining their unbeaten starts.

However, that didn’t tell the full picture, as the Gunners will resume league duties at bitter neighbours Tottenham without Declan Rice to call upon.

After receiving a yellow card in the first half for a tackle on Joël Veltman, Rice was dismissed four minutes into the second half for nudging the ball away from the same player as he was about to take a free kick.

Despite making minimal contact with the ball, Rice was cautioned again for “delaying the restart,” according to the official Premier League match centre. When asked if he was given an explanation, Arteta’s reply was succinct: “None, like always.”

After being informed of the Premier League’s statement, the Gunners head coach lamented the decision even further. “If it [bookings] happens throughout the game in a consistent manner, it is fine, but it didn’t. It is the inconsistency,” he said.

In his 245th Premier League appearance, Rice was sent off for the first time in the competition.

Many, including former Spurs and Liverpool striker Peter Crouch, felt it was harsh. “I don’t think anybody in football will tell you that Joël Veltman has genuinely tried to play a pass,” he said on TNT Sports. “He is bringing it to the referee’s attention that Declan Rice has kicked it away.”

Understandably, his view was shared by former Arsenal defender Martin Keown. “I know Declan knocks the ball away, but why is Veltman knocking the ball into Rice’s path?” he questioned.

“Where is he [Rice] supposed to go? It is almost like a free punch, ‘I’ll do somebody at the same time.’ I know the principle of this new rule, but the referee has a responsibility to keep both sets of 11 players on the pitch – I don’t feel it is a sending-off offence.”

This was tough for Arsenal fans to take, as Rice’s suspension means he will miss the North London derby, a match that new signing Mikel Merino has already been ruled out of. Even more concerning is the fact that since Boxing Day 2019 — Arteta’s first game in charge of Arsenal — the Gunners have been shown 16 red cards in the Premier League, at least three more than any other team.

It started well. Kai Havertz had put the hosts in front. It was his 34th Premier League goal, but his first from outside the box. Furthermore, he has now been involved in ten goals in his last nine Premier League appearances at the Emirates Stadium (seven goals, three assists). Equally impressive is Bukayo Saka, who became the first Arsenal player to provide an assist in each of the first three games of a Premier League season since Thierry Henry in 2004/05.

Rice taking an early shower changed everything. Less than 10 minutes after going down to ten men, Brighton equalized through the in-form João Pedro, who netted in consecutive Premier League appearances for just the second time, having previously done so in November/December 2023. It was also his first away Premier League goal since December 2023 against Chelsea, with each of his previous five goals in the competition coming at home. Additionally, each of Brighton’s last 10 Premier League goals against Arsenal have been scored by different players.

Even though Brighton has failed to win any of its last eight Premier League away games against London sides, drawing four and losing four, they recorded 63.7% of the possession against Arsenal — the most by any away team in the Premier League at the Emirates Stadium since Manchester City in January 2022 (71.2%).

Brighton have remained unbeaten in their opening three games of a top-flight season for only the second time, having previously done so in 2022–23 (W2 D1 on both occasions). Meanwhile, Arsenal were chasing a 100% record after matchday three of a Premier League season, something they’ve previously achieved under Mikel Arteta (2022–23). This would have been as many times as they did so prior to his arrival (in 2003/04 and 2004/05 under Arsène Wenger).

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