Premier League 2024-25, Brighton hold Arsenal 1-1: Key stats
10-man Arsenal were held 1-1 by Brighton in matchweek 3 of the Premier League 2024-24 season on Saturday. Kai Havertz handed Arsenal a 1-0 lead in the first half. Bukayo Saka provided an assist for a third match running. In the 2nd half, Declan Rice was sent off for the Gunners. Brighton equalized via Joao Pedro to continue with their unbeaten start. Here's more.
Arsenal go ahead in the 1st half
Arsenal enjoyed a dominating performance against the Seagulls in the opening 45 minutes. They had several opportunities in the first 20 minutes before the goal arrived. A long ball was offered high into the air as Lewis Dunk was outmuscled by Saka, who forced the ball through to Havertz. The German international made no mistake with his delicate chip.
Key stats from the 1st half
Arsenal had five shots on target in the first half with Brighton failing to register a single shot on target. Arsenal had 0.98 expected goals to Brighton's 0.08. Arsenal also had 18 touches in the opposition half to their rivals' 7.
Rice gets sent off for the Gunners
Midfielder Rice, who had already committed a foul, kicked the ball away as Joel Veltman was about to take a free-kick. Veltman followed through strongly to hack Rice down. Initially, one thought Veltman was in trouble but it was rather Rice who received a second yellow card for kicking the ball away. He was sent off thereafter, reducing Arsenal to 10 men.
Pedro scores the equalizer
In the 58th minute, Dunk provided a defense splitting pass and find Yankuba Minteh. Arsenal defender Gabriel looked to get himself into position to tackle but a weak effort meant Minteh managed to shoot. David Raya saved but Pedro was there lurking around.
Here are the match stats
Arsenal had 2.02 expected goals to Brighton's 2.01. Arsenal had 11 attempts with Brighton clocking a total of 22. The Gunners had seven shots on target to Brighton's four. Arsenal had 30 touches in the opposition box. Brighton managed 32.
Key numbers for Saka and Havertz
Saka has raced to 38 Premier League assists from 173 appearances. As per Opta, only two players have assisted in the opening three games of a Premier League season for Arsenal. Saka has joined former Gunners ace Thierry Henry, who did so in 2004-05. Former Chelsea player Havertz scored his 34th Premier League goal (131 matches). He owns 15 Premier League goals for Arsenal.
Joao Pedro races to 14 Premier League goals
Making his 65th Premier League appearance, Pedro now owns 14 goals (4 assists). He scored nine goals and three assists for Brighton last season. In the ongoing season, he owns two league goals. He also scored the winner versus Manchester United.
