Arsenal player ratings as Gunners held to spicy draw with Brighton

Kai Havertz opened the scoring for Arsenal against the Seagulls (Picture: Getty Images)

Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw by Brighton at the Emirates on Saturday afternoon in a surprisingly bad-tempered contest.

Kai Havertz opened the scoring for the Gunners in the first half as they dominated the play and it looked like it was going to be a very long afternoon for the visitors.

However, things turned round drastically when Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice was shown a red card thanks to a very daft second booking just after the interval.

The Seagulls flew into life and were on top for a period, making the most of it by equalising through Joao Pedro.

The home side steadied themselves and created good chances despite being a man down, but could not find the winner as the sides ended up sharing the points.

Here’s how the Arsenal players fared on an engaging afternoon in north London…

David Raya – 7

Did little wrong and could not really be criticised for the Brighton goal after stopping the initial effort from Minteh. Made a crucial save from Ayari and strong in the air from crosses.

Ben White – 7

Ben White rarely does much wrong for Arsenal at right-back (Picture: Getty Images)

Always reliable enough at right-back for the Gunners and again did little wrong against the dangerous Brighton forwards. Arsenal are far more dangerous down the right than the left, mainly down to Saka, but White’s work with him helps.

Gabriel – 6

Steady at the back and a threat at set-pieces in attack, but there was certainly a suggestion that the Brazilian could have done something about the Brighton goal. Gabriel appeared to have done the hard work to get to Minteh, but couldn’t complete the job and win the ball. Did defend well by blocking a thunderous effort from Baleba, though.

William Saliba – 7

Always solid in his centre-back berth and that was no different on Saturday. Remained firm as Brighton came on strong in the second half.

Jurrien Timber – 5

Still getting used to the pace of the Premier League. Beaten in the air to concede a chance in the first half and booked for a late challenge on Yankuba Minteh in the second. Limped off with 10 minutes to play, replaced by Zinchenko.

Declan Rice – 3

Declan Rice pleaded innocence to the referee (Picture: Getty Images)

Shown a red card for the first time in his career and it was extremely daft from the England man. He got a yellow for a late lunge on Joel Veltman in the first half before a strange second booking shortly after the break. Veltman was taking a free-kick and appeared to boot Rice in the shin, however, it happened because the Arsenal man kicked the ball away and so it was him who was booked again and shown red. Stupid when already booked and ultimately cost his team.

Thomas Partey – 5

Not greatly influential in the middle of the park for Arsenal, with Rice a huge loss for them when he was dismissed and left Partey to take charge of things in central midfield. Reasonably solid, but not offering a great deal.

Martin Odegaard – 6

Always impressively silky but let himself down in a couple of big moments. Fluffed a shot when free in the penalty area in the first half and should have played substitute Calafiori in on goal in the second. Subbed off for Gabriel Martinelli on 74.

Bukayo Saka – 7

Bukayo Saka was threatening, as ever, on the right wing (Picture: Getty Images)

Looked like he was going to traumatise Brighton left-back Jack Hinshelwood early on, seemingly beating him at will. He then set-up Havertz’s opener by getting the better of Lewis Dunk. His influence and danger waned as the game went on, though, and he missed a couple of chances in the second half.

Leandro Trossard – 5

Given the nod to start against his old club but was largely anonymous with Arsenal’s threat coming down the opposite flank. Substituted for Riccardo Calafiori just before the hour mark.

Kai Havertz – 8

Took his goal brilliantly as he lobbed the goalkeeper in style, continuing his increasingly impressive link-up with Saka. He did well to create himself a great chance with 15 minutes to play, but really should have scored as he saw his shot saved by Verbruggen. Nearly set-up Saka with a fine cross minutes later but the Englishman couldn’t finish.

Substitutes

Riccardo Calafiori 6 – Looks to have great pace and covers a lot of ground, should have been put in on goal by Odegaard after a fine run.

Gabriel Martinelli 5 – Couldn’t conjure up a chance after coming on late in the game.

Oleksandr Zinchenko 5 – Only filled in for Timber after coming on for the last few minutes.

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