Brighton 1-1 Arsenal: Joao Pedro deals visitors title race blow

Arsenal missed the chance to go within three points of Premier League leaders Liverpool as Joao Pedro’s second-half penalty saw them held to a 1-1 draw by Brighton.

Just as he did in a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture in August, Joao Pedro netted in the second half to deny the Gunners all three points at the Amex Stadium.

Teenager Ethan Nwaneri put Arsenal ahead in the 16th minute with a fine solo effort, racing down the right to bend a low finish under Bart Verbruggen into the far corner.

However, Brighton upped the pressure and Joao Pedro won the spot-kick after being caught by William Saliba, who was attempting to head the ball clear, before coolly bending it into the back of the net.

The Seagulls pushed for a late winner, with Yankuba Minteh coming closest as his low shot flashed across the face of goal, and Kaoru Mitoma could not get a decisive touch to poke it in.

Arsenal dug in deep to at least ensure their unbeaten streak in the league stretched to 10 matches, and they sit five points behind Liverpool in second, while Brighton are 10th.

FT: Another well-deserved point against Arsenal.

[1-1] #BHAARS // #BHAFC pic.twitter.com/Hvip9KAe8l

— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) January 4, 2025

Data Debrief: Missed chances

The first time Arsenal dropped points this season was in their 1-1 draw with Brighton in August, and it was an all-too-familiar story for Mikel Arteta again on Saturday.

The Gunners have failed to beat a side home and away (Brighton in 2024-25 – two draws) in a Premier League season, despite going 1-0 up in both games for a ninth time. Brighton are the only opponent this has happened against twice in the competition (also two draws against the Seagulls in 2018-19, having scored first in both games).

While they will be disappointed not to come away with three points, Nwaneri was a bright spark once again. He became just the sixth player to score more than one Premier League goal before turning 18 years old (two), after Wayne Rooney (seven), Michael Owen (five), Danny Cadamarteri, James Milner (both three) and Federico Macheda (two), and the first to do so for Arsenal.

Meanwhile, Joao Pedro has been involved in 10 goals across his last 13 Premier League appearances (five goals, five assists), netting home and away against Arsenal this season.