Arsenal 1-1 Brighton: The Gunners lose due to Declan Rice's foolish red card, while the Seagulls tie thanks to Joao Pedro's equaliser.

Arsenal lost two points at the top of the league to Brighton, who rallied from behind to draw 1-1 at the Emirates Stadium thanks to Declan Rice's reckless red card.

Arsenal dominated the first half, and Kai Havertz's excellent play following Martin Odegaard's missed opportunity to put the Gunners ahead set him up to chip Bart Verbruggen for the first goal.

Despite Brighton having more of the first-half possession, the Gunners led 1-0 at the half. However, Chris Kavanagh sent Rice packing after he stopped a swift free-kick in front of the swinging Joel Veltman, making their task more difficult.

Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, questioned the decision's lack of consistency and said Veltman ought to have been sent off for the same event.

"I was astounded. "I'm astounded by how inconsistent some decisions can be," he exclaimed. "There are two incidences in the first half [when Brighton kicked the ball away], but nothing happens.

"I was astounded. "I'm astounded by how inconsistent some decisions can be," he exclaimed. "There are two incidences in the first half [when Brighton kicked the ball away], but nothing happens.

"The ball then strikes Declan (on the back of his thigh) in a non-critical region. He spins, misses the player approaching, and touches the ball.
 
"The referee may call that call according to the law, but he must call the red card next, so we play 10 vs 10. What astounded me was this. It's incredible at this point."

Rice was given his first red card of his professional career, and as a result, he will be unable to attend the North London derby against Tottenham on 15 September live on Sky Sports. Due to a damaged shoulder, Arsenal has already lost summer midfield signing Mikel Merino, along with Emile Smith Rowe and Fabio Vieira, during the transfer window.

However, Arsenal's concerns increased when Yankuba Minteh scored a goal and Joao Pedro scored on the rebound after David Raya had stopped his initial effort.

For the majority of the second half, Brighton had Arsenal confined to their own penalty area, but an incredible end-to-end match followed.

First, Verbruggen stopped Havertz's one-on-one counterattack attempt, then Saka's rebound was stopped. Brighton came dangerously close to scoring when Raya stopped Yasin Ayari, a replacement, with the goal gaping.

The Brighton custodian again denied Havertz's attempt when he sent the ball on for Saka at the other end of a counterattack.

Despite having an additional man, Brighton seemed a little more anxious after the spurt of Arsenal opportunities. Carlos Baleba and Georginio Rutter both scorched past as they were unable to convert the lead.

Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, on his team's reaction after the red card:

"A really touching afternoon. We had a good start, producing three or four opportunities that were not converted. We had a period of problems after that, particularly with the ball and getting it back. During that time, we lacked some consistency and dominance and lost it in certain tough regions. We took advantage of the opposition and scored a really nice goal.

"After halftime, we return with even more strength. The referee then renders a decision that alters the trajectory of the match. Even with 10 men, the team responds amazingly well, the stadium responds incredibly well, and we probably ought to have won the game.

"Undoubtedly because of the mood and our ability to manage the game's emotional component, which was quite difficult to do. But that's how the squad responded.

"We behaved really disciplinedly. We responded to the situation of having to play at home with ten men. We read the game, played the game we had to play, and we ought to have been rewarded even if we didn't want to be playing such deep defence."

Hurzeler: Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler expressed disappointment that his team did not win.

"For us, the Arsenal goal came as a complete surprise. Our defence wasn't very good. The red card caused a shift in the second half.

"We controlled the game and generated opportunities from the red card. We also had to admit that we were not reliable enough in our counter-pressing to allow Arsenal to score their second goal.

Analysis: Arteta will have a midfield dilemma before facing Spurs

With just four players signed this season and seven departing from the club from the previous one, Arsenal's depth was tested following Friday's transfer deadline. Although Mikel Arteta's team is strong, in a crisis it could be vulnerable.

In the span of 48 hours, Arsenal has let Emile Smith Rowe and Fabio Vieira to depart, lost new recruit Mikel Merino for weeks after suffering a shoulder fracture during his first training session, and now Declan Rice is suspended. Their next match is a derby between Tottenham and North London.

Two of Arteta's three midfield options will have to be Martin Odegaard and Thomas Partey. While switching striker Kai Havertz back to an offensive midfield role is an option, Jorginho and Leandro Trossard are the next in line for midfield positions. Fellow forward Gabriel Jesus is now out with an injury and serves as the German's backup.

Besides, Havertz is most effective in his centre striker role according to his early-season form, so would Arteta risk undermining another section of the play in order to cover a hole?

Ben White, Jurrien Timber, and Oleksandr Zinchenko—all of whom have played centre midfield—could also attempt this unproven alternative. It is not perfect, though.

The whole thing is actually far from ideal. Arsenal has now lost two games, and their next matchup against Tottenham might see them disadvantaged. Next, Manchester City.

"So in the end it feels like disappointment as we wanted to win the game."