Declan Rice sees red as Arsenal draw with Brighton

Brighton ended Arsenal's winning start to the new Premier League season with a 1-1 draw at the Emirates on Saturday, with the home side holding on for a point after Declan Rice's controversial second-half sending off.

Arsenal dominated the first half and deservedly lead at the interval after Kai Havertz finished brilliantly in the 38th minute, having been played in expertly by Bukayo Saka.

However, four minutes into the second half, Arsenal's task was made all the harder when Rice was sent off after picking up a second yellow card for delaying a Brighton free kick by kicking the ball away.

The decision enraged the home crowd who had expected Brighton defender Joël Veltman to be punished for kicking Rice as the Arsenal midfielder tapped the ball out of his path.

Brazilian striker Joao Pedro fired Brighton level 12 minutes later.

Both sides missed presentable chances to win the contest late on, but they each had to settle for a point.

"We started the game really well," Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta told TNT Sports. "We scored the goal, 1-0. We started the second half really good but then there is the decision that changes the game completely.

"If it [second yellow card] happens throughout the game in a consistent way it is fine but it didn't. It is the inconsistency."

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After narrowly missing out on their first Premier League title since 2004 last season, Arsenal had started the new term in perfect fashion.

With champions Manchester City also coming into this weekend's fixtures with two wins from two at the start of the new season, Arsenal know any slip-up, even this early in the campaign, could be costly.

They appeared to be course to maintain their 100% record after a dominant first-half display. Skipper Martin Ødegaard should have scored earlier in the opening stages before Havertz scored his second of the campaign.

Rice's second yellow turned the tide in the visitors' favour.

Since Boxing Day 2019 -- Mikel Arteta's first game in charge of the club -- Arsenal have been shown 16 red cards in the Premier League, at least three more than any other side. But it was Rice's first red in his 245th Premier League appearance.

Following his last-gasp winner against Manchester United last weekend, Pedro reacted first after Yankuba Minteh's shot had been saved to pull Brighton level, and the game opened up thereafter.

Saka could have snatched the win late on, while Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya had to be at his best on several occasions to keep Brighton from earning all three points, but both seemed content with a draw after an exhilarating tussle.

"We didn't create enough chances when they went down to 10 men, but we will go away and look at it," Brighton captain Lewis Dunk said.

"We always believe we can win any game of football. We are in a good place and we know we can beat anybody."