By Opta Analyst | Created at 2025-01-04 19:47:56 | Updated at 2025-01-06 18:56:41
1 day ago
Arsenal dropped points yet again as their hopes of a Premier League title challenge continue to dwindle. Look back on the game with the best facts and Opta data in our Brighton vs Arsenal stats page.
Arsenal slumped to their seventh Premier League draw of the season in a 1-1 stalemate at Brighton on Saturday, giving leaders Liverpool the chance to go eight points clear.
Mikel Arteta’s men were largely unimpressive at the Amex Stadium and scarcely deserved more than the draw they ultimately left with, which does little good for their dwindling title aspirations.
The result leaves them five points adrift of pacesetters Liverpool, who have two games in hand and host an out-of-sorts Manchester United side at Anfield on Sunday.
Arsenal did actually seize the initiative on the south coast, going ahead in the 16th minute as Ethan Nwaneri received Mikel Merino’s pass and burst into the right side of the box before slotting beyond Bart Verbruggen.
In scoring that goal, Nwaneri became just the sixth player in Premier League history to net multiple times in the competition before turning 18 – and the first to do so for Arsenal.
That was hardly a precursor to an Arsenal onslaught, however, as the Gunners looked content to sit back somewhat, in no rush to add more.
In fact, Nwaneri was booked just before half-time for time wasting, making it nine times – more than any other team – that Arsenal have been punished for such an offence in the league this term.
Brighton levelled from the spot just after the hour, João Pedro coolly dispatching the kick after he’d been floored by William Saliba in a clash of heads the Frenchman was deemed to have instigated.
The Brazilian forward’s goal was his 11th from the spot in all competitions since the start of 2023-24, a tally only bettered by Mohamed Salah and Cole Palmer (12 each) among Premier League players.
After the equaliser, Brighton looked the likelier to go on and win the game, almost going ahead when Yankuba Minteh flashed across goal at the end of a fine run in the 82nd minute.
Arsenal did enough to preserve their unbeaten run, which stretched to 13 games in all competitions, but that will be scant consolation if Liverpool see off United as expected on Sunday.
Our Opta match centre delivers you all the Brighton vs Arsenal stats from their Premier League meeting at the Amex Stadium.
The match centre below includes team and player stats, expected goals data, passing networks, an Opta chalkboard and more. It gives you everything you need to do your own match analysis.
Underneath the match centre you can find the official Opta stats on the game as well.
Brighton vs Arsenal Stats: Post-Match Facts
- Despite coming from behind to earn a draw, Brighton remain winless in their last eight Premier League games (D6 L2), drawing four successive matches in the competition for the first time.
- Arsenal have failed to win four of their last nine Premier League games when leading at half time (W5 D4), having won 22 consecutive such matches prior to this run.
- Brighton’s João Pedro has been involved in 10 goals across his last 13 Premier League appearances (5 goals, 5 assists), netting home and away against Arsenal this season.
- Gabriel Martinelli became just the sixth non-European player to reach 200 appearances (all competitions) for Arsenal after Kolo Touré (326), Gilberto Silva (244), Lauren (241), Emmanuel Eboué (214) and Alex Song (204).
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