Arsenal dropped more points in their pursuit of Liverpool in the Premier League title race after a bizarre incident between William Saliba and Joao Pedro resulted in a Brighton equaliser at the Amex Stadium.

The Gunners, freshly renewed in front of goal, were confident that they could collect all three points this afternoon and things started well with teenage sensation Ethan Nwaneri cutting in from the right and curling home a left-footed strike that reminded of Bukayo Saka’s best goals.

Arsenal took the lead but then settled for it. They took time out of the match and allowed Brighton possession instead of doggedly hunting a second goal. Fortune then favoured the hosts.

Pedro received a pass inside Arsenal’s box and looked to control it with a header just as Saliba attempted to nod the ball clear. The defender arrived too late and headbutted Pedro resulting in a strange penalty being awarded to the hosts.

Pedro converted from the spot and, despite some attacking substitutions from Mikel Arteta, Arsenal were unable to restore their advantage.

Relive the action with our live blog below:

Brighton vs Arsenal LIVE

• Brighton hold Arsenal to 1-1 draw in the Premier League

• 78’ CLOSE! Minteh’s pass evades Mitoma (BHA 1-1 ARS)

• 61’ GOAL! Brighton level through Joao Pedro penalty (BHA 1-1 ARS)

• 34’ CHANCE! Adingra lifts a shot high and wide (BHA 0-1 ARS)

• 16’ GOAL! Nwaneri nets opening goal with fine strike (BHA 0-1 ARS)

Brighton & Hove Albion FC 1 - 1 Arsenal FC

Ignore the “bizarre” penalty decision versus Brighton, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have bigger issues

21:06 , Mike Jones

A game at Brighton that may well be characterised by the definition of “sufficient contact”. That’s one way to describe Arsenal temporarily moving to within five points of Liverpool, although with the knowledge that could extend to 11 from two games in hand, after another debated penalty decision cost Mikel Arteta’s side victory. They had been looking to grind out a 1-0 win, only for a William Saliba attempt at a header to bring a collision with Joao Pedro, that was adjudged to be a penalty.

Arsenal were furious, especially since Saliba seemed to touch the ball first. An inevitable complaint from supporters was that it’s the sort of decision you only see given against their club, but then it was also just a bizarre moment of the type you don’t usually see at all. Arteta wasn’t focusing on that aspect. He initially described the decision as “very disappointing”, before adding “I’ve never seen a decision” - not “a moment” - like this in my career”.

Ignore the “bizarre” penalty decision, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have bigger issues

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler, speaking to Sky Sports:

20:39 , Mike Jones

“I feel like I have to repeat myself all the time, which is a disappointing feeling. In the first half we weren’t as intense as we wanted to be. After the goal it was much better. The big word for us is consistency.

“When we look at Arsenal’s chances, they had one [big opportunity] during the game. Of course they were always dangerous from set pieces. We did well to come back but weren’t clean enough in the final third. Against Arsenal, you need to use your momentum to win the game.

“The game we want to play is intense, [we want to] press high. If you want to attack the box, you need to invest in deep runs. We’re not where we should be, but it’s a process.

“We have to accept [the result], keep working hard and do better than we did before. We need a lot of physicality for [our] kind of game. We were not able to hold that physical level for 90 minutes. We’re still working on that.

“It’s not that easy to make the players fitter, but it’s a long-term process.”

Arteta speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live:

20:36 , Mike Jones

“Obviously we wanted to win the game. This is a tough place to come and they are a very good side. We started well, scored a beautiful goal and we were in control.

“In the second half we didn’t really grab the game or dominate enough to have certain moments and be more of a threat in their half. But defensively we did not concede much apart from the transition moment with Minteh.

“When you are playing every three days or less than that you cannot with the amount of injuries and situations maintain the level of performance and competitiveness. Today we lacked it in the second half.

“Today was not about fatigue. it was about the simple things that we have to do in ball possession to give chances and dominate the game in the right areas.”

No wins in eight games

20:31 , Mike Jones

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’s bogey team

20:27 , Mike Jones

Arsenal have failed to beat a side home and away (Brighton in 2024-25 – 2 draws) in a Premier League season despite going 1-0 up in both games for a ninth time, with Brighton being the only opponent this has happened against twice in the competition (also 2 draws against the Seagulls in 2018-19 having scored first in both games).

Arteta speaking to BBC Match of the Day:

20:23 , Mike Jones

“First of all disappointed with the result especially when we have started the game quite well and scored a beautiful goal. And then we lacked control and gave the ball away and we didn’t do the simple things well enough to be really on top of the game and have the dominance we required. The game was always open without really conceding anything.

“We are really disappointed with the decision that leads to the goal because I have never seen something like this in my life. He touches the ball as well.

“We did a lot of things not to the standard with the ball. So we didn’t get any momentum, we never got set in areas that after we could generate chances and counter press in the right moment. We conceded one chance when we had 10 players on the floor and [Yankuba] Minteh takes off. I think we have to do much better things than today and unfortunately we lost two points.”

Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori, speaking to Sky Sports:

20:17 , Mike Jones

“I think we felt we could have done a bit better to manage the game and [manage] the goal we scored in the first half. We should have scored another one.

“I don’t know why we made so many stupid mistakes, but the good thing is that we play again in three days [against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup]. Maybe we were too low and gave the opponents too many balls.

“It’s not a big loss. We have to keep going now and win the next game.

“It’s not the moment to think too much about the title. We need to focus on ourselves.”

Arteta on the title race:

20:13 , Mike Jones

“We wanted to win and we weren’t able to do that. We’re very disappointed with the [penalty] decision. Other than that, we’ll try to improve and prepare for our next game.”

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, speaking to Sky Sports:

20:10 , Mike Jones

“I’m disappointed because we wanted to win the game. We started the game with good actions and a good goal. We knew it was going to be a challenging game.

“We gave too many balls away in the second half and we’re very disappointed with the penalty. I’ve never seen that in my life – and Saliba touches the ball. [It wasn’t one] for me, no.

“We’re playing every three days. I understand how much we want to [win], but in terms of the quality and the consistency and doing the simple things right against a competitive team, we didn’t do enough today.”

Van Hecke on Joao Pedro:

20:02 , Mike Jones

”I think he was brilliant today. Not only for the penalty but for his work rate. We need that every game from him because he is one of our best players and he can lead us.”

More from Van Hecke who told BBC Match of the Day:

19:58 , Mike Jones

“I am not to be honest [thinking of it like a win]. We now have a streak of eight games without a win. Of course it is a good point against one of the best teams in the league but we also need to win games. The first half was not good enough from us and we concede a goal that can’t really happen in my opinion. You saw a different team in the second half.

“All season you have seen parts where we are really strong and good where we can be the best teams in the league then halves or parts in the game we are not and we belong to the worst in the league. Consistency is the word and we need to be better in the future.

“The intensity we played with. We really went toe-to-toe with them and then you see we are very strong. When we score we should maybe score another one. In the end it is a good result.”

Brighton’s star man

19:55 , Mike Jones

Brighton’s 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.

Brighton goalscorer Joao Pedro, speaking to Sky Sports:

19:51 , Mike Jones

“We started the game well. We could have won but got a point. We need to look forward.

“We conceded in the first half but knew we could win this game. We tried to score at the beginning of the second half. We wanted to win.

“I tried to control the ball and then [Saliba] hit me. It’s good that I scored. I always try to be positive with goals and assists. I like the feeling [of scoring] and hopefully I’ll score more.”

Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke, speaking to Sky Sports:

19:47 , Mike Jones

“I think we did quite well. We shouldn’t have conceded the first goal. That shouldn’t happen to us, but you can see a lot of character in the boys. We need to be more consistent.

“We have a really young team. The average age of our team is 23. It’s tough sometimes, but our guys fight for everything. Maybe you need a bit more experience to manage the game.

“In some parts we are really good. Consistency is an important thing for us to get back where we need to be.”

Brighton back in top half

19:34 , Mike Jones

A deserved point for Brighton sends them into the top half of the table as they move up to 10th leapfrogging Brentford. Fabian Hurzeler’s men secure another draw and once again fail to take full advantage of a positive performance.

Full-time! Brighton 1-1 Arsenal

19:27 , Mike Jones

90+6 mins: The full-time whistle goes with Arsenal held to a draw on the south coast.

Brighton deserved their point and probably more on reflection. The Gunners pushed for the winner in the closing stages but for too long they were passengers in the game.

They hold on to second place but gift a big advantage to Liverpool now.

Brighton 1-1 Arsenal

19:24 , Mike Jones

90+3 mins: Leandro Trossard cuts into the box from the left wing and drills a shot over the crossbar. That was a chance but the former Brighton player couldn’t keep the ball down.

Time is running out for Arsenal.

Brighton 1-1 Arsenal

19:23 , Mike Jones

90 mins: Six minutes to play at the Amex Stadium.

Brighton 1-1 Arsenal

19:20 , Mike Jones

88 mins: The rain is pumping down now as Mikel Arteta grimaces on the sidelines. Declan Rice lifts a free kick into the box and finds Thomas Partey but the midfielder fires a header over the top.

Brighton 1-1 Arsenal

19:17 , Mike Jones

85 mins: The momentum is still with Brighton but Arsenal’s defence is up to the task. As things stand in the title race Arsenal are dropping behind but there’s no sign they can go on to win this game.

Brighton 1-1 Arsenal

19:14 , Mike Jones

82 mins: Into the last 10 minutes now and Brighton are throwing men forward with the hope of securing a winner. The hosts are the more aggressive and hopeful side and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them get a late winner.

Brighton 1-1 Arsenal

19:09 , Mike Jones

78 mins: Close! Minteh is slipped the ball on the right side of the pitch. He carries it into the penalty area then laces an attempt across the face of goal.

Mitoma arrives at the back post and flings himself towards the ball but can’t get the desired touch for an easy tap in.

Brighton 1-1 Arsenal

19:07 , Mike Jones

76 mins: As things stand Arsenal will remain second in the table but they’ll be five points behind Liverpool who would have two games in hand on them.

Estupinan lifts a cross in from the left that David Raya collects. He looks to feed Odegaard but the Arsenal captain miscontrols the ball.

Brighton 1-1 Arsenal

19:04 , Mike Jones

73 mins: Riccardo Calafiori wins Arsenal a corner and the set piece specialists need something from this. Declan Rice is on delivery duty once more and his cross is whipped straight into the hands of the goalkeeper.

Brighton 1-1 Arsenal

19:01 , Mike Jones

70 mins: Mikel Arteta will be tearing his hair out at the lack of a response from his team. Arsenal are still in second gear and haven’t been able to kick on after conceding.

They attempt to come down the left side but Joel Veltman stays strong and clears the danger.

Brighton 1-1 Arsenal

18:58 , Mike Jones

67 mins: Mikel Arteta has made an attacking change that he probably didn’t want to. He’d have been hoping to get this game over and done with without the need for Martin Odegaard.

Instead the Gunners are at risk of dropping more points unless they can find a creative spark in the final third.

Brighton 1-1 Arsenal

18:55 , Mike Jones

64 mins: Arsenal look firmly on the back foot now as Brighton sense the chance to win this game. Fabian Hurzeler has made a few more changes with Kaoru Mitoma replacing Simon Adingra.

For Arsenal, Martin Odegaard is on for Jorginho.

GOAL! Brighton 1-1 Arsenal (Joao Pedro, 61’)

18:52 , Mike Jones

61 mins: Pedro steps up to take the penalty and guides it to David Raya’s left. The goalkeeper dives the opposite way and Brighton get their equaliser.

Brighton 0-1 Arsenal

18:51 , Mike Jones

Penalty to Brighton!

59 mins: The ball comes into the Arsenal box and gets flicked up by Joao Pedro. William Saliba looks to nod the ball away and arrives slightly late.

Pedro heads it before him and then gets headed in the side of the face by the defender.

It’s a strange one but VAR agrees that the foul stands. Here’s a chance for Brighton to level things.

Brighton 0-1 Arsenal

18:50 , Mike Jones

58 mins: Estupinan and Rice both leap for an aerial ball but the Brighton defender clattering into the Arsenal midfielder. Rice was taken unawares by the contact and hurts his shoulder.

He’s fine to play on and takes the resultant free kick. The ball is curled low into the penalty area and goes past both Gabriel and Merino before rolling out of play.

Brighton 0-1 Arsenal

18:47 , Mike Jones

57 mins: Arsenal win a corner kick that gets swung into the box by Declan Rice. The ball fizzes over to the far post and Mikel Merino is on hand to keep it alive.

He’s forced to the sideline and can’t keep the ball in play under pressure.

Brighton 0-1 Arsenal

18:46 , Mike Jones

54 mins: The game is following a familiar pattern to the first half. Arsenal happy to let Brighton have the ball but the hosts are unable to do much with it.

The home fans are growing frustrated.

Brighton 0-1 Arsenal

18:44 , Mike Jones

51 mins: Adingra looks to get into the box from the left wing but a back-tracking Martinelli nicks the ball off him. Arsenal don’t keep it for long and Brighton look to come at them once more.

Brighton 0-1 Arsenal

18:39 , Mike Jones

48 mins: Pervis Estupinan faces a go at goal but doesn’t get close to troubling the goalkeeper. David Raya gets the ball moving again and Arsenal boot it long down the right wing.

Declan Rice collects possession but runs into trouble.

Second half! Brighton 0-1 Arsenal

18:36 , Mike Jones

Mikel Arteta has made a substitution at the break with the goalscorer Ethan Nwaneri being replaced with Gabriel Martinelli.

For Brighton, Matt O’Riley and Brajan Gruda are replaced with Georginio Rutter and Yankuba Minteh.

The hosts kick off the second half.

HT Brighton 0-1 Arsenal

18:32 , Mike Jones

Here’s the only goal of the game so far:

HT Brighton 0-1 Arsenal

18:28 , Mike Jones

Arsenal edged possession in that half 54% to 46%.

In contrast Brighton had more shots with six compared to Arsenal’s five though the Gunners managed two on target including Ethan Nwaneri’s goal.

That’s a sign that Brighton are at least still in this game.

HT Brighton 0-1 Arsenal

18:24 , Mike Jones

Half-time! Brighton 0-1 Arsenal

18:20 , Mike Jones

45+4 mins: There goes the whistle to end the first half. A moment of magic from Ethan Nwaneri gives Arsenal the lead over Brighton.

The hosts have had moments of their own but a lack of quality in the final third means they trail. Arsenal seem to be playing within themselves but seem quite comfortable at present.

Brighton 0-1 Arsenal

18:18 , Mike Jones

45 mins: Four minutes of added time to play in the first half.

Brighton 0-1 Arsenal

18:15 , Mike Jones

43 mins: Adingra floats a ball into the box from the left wing and sends it straight into the arms of David Raya. The Arsenal goalkeeper is confident plucking the ball out of the air and it’ll be another frustrating moment of ‘what if’ for the hosts.

Brighton have played okay but they’ve not threatened much.

Brighton 0-1 Arsenal

18:11 , Mike Jones

40 mins: Another corner for Arsenal. This one is taken by Declan Rice and he perfectly picks out Mikel Merino.

Merino flings himself at the ball and nods it over the top before following through and landing on Gabriel Jesus. The two Arsenal men stay on the deck but both are fine to continue after regaining their breathe.

Brighton 0-1 Arsenal

18:08 , Mike Jones

37 mins: Estupinan is having trouble handling Nwaneri. The youngster is doggedly hounding him whenever the defender has possession and wins Arsenal a corner.

This one is poor as the delivery, from Nwaneri, is curled straight out of play.

Brighton 0-1 Arsenal

18:06 , Mike Jones

34 mins: Chance!

Brighton should be level, or at least close to it. Matt O’Riley bursts down the left side of the box and collects a pass before checking his run and sending it inside to Simon Adingra.

He’s got a direct sight of goal and, at the very least needs to trouble David Raya, but instead leans back on his effort and lifts the ball high and wide.

Brighton 0-1 Arsenal

18:02 , Mike Jones

31 mins: Brighton’s final third passing has been a little wayward which is gifting the ball back to the Gunners despite the hosts managing to get into decent positions on the pitch.

Arsenal aren’t overexerting themselves. They’re managing the game already with two-thirds of the match still to play.

Brighton 0-1 Arsenal

17:58 , Mike Jones

28 mins: After a big delay in setting up a free kick, Arsenal faff about with a training ground move that sends the ball into the box for an easy clearance by Joao Pedro.

The Gunners are confident though and they’ll be keen to add to their lead.

Brighton 0-1 Arsenal

17:54 , Mike Jones

25 mins: Ethan Nwaneri is just the sixth player to score multiple Premier League goals before turning 18 after Wayne Rooney (7), Michael Owen (5), Danny Cadamarteri (3), James Milner (3) and Federico Macheda (2).

Brighton 0-1 Arsenal

17:53 , Mike Jones

22 mins: David Raya is down for Arsenal. He’s receiving a bit of treatment which allows Mikel Arteta to issue some new instructions from the sidelines.

The goalkeeper is fine to play on and gets the game restarted.

Brighton 0-1 Arsenal

17:51 , Mike Jones

19 mins: That goal has sent the volume of the Arsenal fans into a crescendo as they celebrate the fact one of their academy graduates has given them the opener.

Brighton has responded well, they’re coming forward and putting the pressure on the Gunners.

GOAL! Brighton 0-1 Arsenal (Ethan Nwaneri, 16’)

17:48 , Mike Jones

Arsenal lead!

Mikel Merino slots the ball out wide to Declan Rice who brings it forward before slipping a pass inside past Pervis Estupinan and picking out Ethan Nwaneri.

The youngster drives into the box and, much like Bukayo Saka, rolls the ball onto his left foot then smokes a low effort past Bart Verbruggen to give the lead to Arsenal.

Brighton 0-0 Arsenal

17:45 , Mike Jones

14 mins: Ethan Nwaneri looks to make something happen for Arsenal by cutting inside from the right with the help of a stepover. He sends a cross into the box but Jean Paul Van Hecke is there to nod it away for Brighton.

No real chances of note yet, other than Jesus’ offside effort.

Brighton 0-0 Arsenal

17:41 , Mike Jones

11 mins: Close!

Gabriel Jesus makes a run in behind the Brighton defence as Jorginho dinks a pass over the top. The striker collects and touches it into the penalty area before fizzing a low effort at goal.

Bart Verbruggen sticks out his right foot and deflects the effort just as the offside flag is raised against the Arsenal forward.

Brighton 0-0 Arsenal

17:39 , Mike Jones

9 mins: Veltman fouls Trossard on Arsenal’s left wing which gives the Gunners a free kick. They play it quickly and pass the ball around the defence hoping to draw Brighton out.

A long ball down the middle is poor with no attackers placed to receive the pass and Brighton get the ball back.

Brighton 0-0 Arsenal

17:36 , Mike Jones

6 mins: There’s been a smattering of boos for Leandro Trossard whenever the former Brighton man gets on the ball. He loses it on the edge of the Brighton box and the hosts transition quickly into a break.

Joao Pedro storms forward with the ball before sending it wide to Simon Adingra. Adingra crosses into the penalty area but can’t pick out a teammate.

Brighton 0-0 Arsenal

17:35 , Mike Jones

3 mins: Brighton try to control possession and limit the early momentum of the visitors. The hosts are content to pass out from the back then inject some pace through midfield. Carlos Baleba works it forward before the ball come out to Joel Veltman.

His delivery into the box is easily cleared by William Saliba.

Kick off! Brighton 0-0 Arsenal

17:31 , Mike Jones

Arsenal get the ball rolling and work it back to goalkeeper David Raya. He boots it long but Joel Veltman is on hand to nod the ball out for a throw in.

Brighton vs Arsenal

17:27 , Mike Jones

The players make their way out onto the pitch at the Amex Stadium. The new England manager Thomas Tuchel is in the stands having also been at Tottenham v Newcastle earlier today.

Arsenal will feel confident of getting a positive result today but let’s see how things play out.

Kick off is up next...

Gabriel Jesus reiterates Arsenal priorities in title race

17:20 , Mike Jones

Gabriel Jesus has vowed to keep scoring for Arsenal to end the club’s two-decade wait for a Premier League title.

Jesus, a four-time Premier League winner with Manchester City, said: “I just want to keep winning and scoring and helping the team, the club, to be there always fighting for the title.

“I know it’s a long way, we have to look for ourselves and then obviously after, we want the top of the league to drop points. But we have to look at ourselves and do our job.

“The previous two years were amazing. Obviously, we did not win, but we fought until the end. To play in this competition is already hard, to fight for the title, imagine.

“I’ve already been there (with City), but I can see this team is experienced now. We have amazing players, and I’m sure we can go there and fight for the title. But it’s still early, and we just need to keep trying to play well and win the games.”

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal may need to spend on January transfers: ‘We have to be open for that possibility’

17:15 , Mike Jones

Arsenal will have key attacker Kai Havertz available for their Premier League match at Brighton and Hove Albion, manager Mikel Arteta said on Friday.

Havertz, who scored the winner for Arsenal against Ipswich Town last week, missed their 3-1 away win over Brentford due to an illness which affected several players in Arteta’s squad.

Asked if Arsenal were planning on bolstering their squad with any signings in the January transfer window, Arteta said: “I don’t know. The focus is on the players that we have.”

Arteta offers Arsenal transfer update: ‘We have to be open for that possibility’

Havertz versus Brighton

17:10 , Mike Jones

Kai Havertz has scored in his last four Premier League games against Brighton, netting in all three against the Seagulls so far for Arsenal.

Brighton’s key man

17:05 , Mike Jones

Since the start of last season, Joao Pedro has scored 13 Premier League goals and provided eight assists, the most goal involvements of any Brighton player.

New year, new start

17:00 , Mike Jones

Brighton haven’t lost their first league game in any of the last eight calendar years. They’ve won three and drawn five of those matches.

Jesus’ resurgence

16:55 , Mike Jones

Gabriel Jesus has scored six goals in his last four appearances. Will he add to his tally today?

Brighton need goals

16:50 , Mike Jones

Fabian Hurzeler’s side have scored just 21 goals at the Amex Stadium in the Premier League in 2024; 25 fewer than in 2023.

Set piece specialists

16:45 , Mike Jones

Arsenal have scored a league-high nine Premier League goals from corners this season, including five of the last 12 they have netted overall.

10 draws for Hurzeler?

16:40 , Mike Jones

Brighton have drawn nine times in their first 19 Premier League games under Fabian Hurzeler.

Only three managers have drawn 10 of their first 20 games in the Premier League: John Lyall in 1992, John Deehan in 1994 and Egil Olsen in 1999.

Arsenal’s winning run

16:35 , Mike Jones

Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 12 matches in all competitions, winning nine. They could win four Premier League games in a row for the first time this season.

Another draw on the cards?

16:30 , Mike Jones

Brighton have drawn five of their last seven league matches, including the last three.

The Seagulls could draw four league games in a row for the first time since October 2014 in the Championship under Sami Hyypia.

Brighton vs Arsenal

16:25 , Mike Jones

Arsenal are undefeated in their last four visits to Brighton & Hove Albion, winning three and drawing one.

In comparison, Brighton have won three of the last seven meetings in all competitions, although each win has come at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal line-up versus Brighton

16:17 , Mike Jones

Arsenal XI: Raya, Partey, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Rice, Jorginho, Merino, Nwaneri, Trossard, Jesus

Brighton line-up versus Arsenal

16:16 , Mike Jones

Brighton XI: Verbruggen, Igor Jukio, Gruda, Joao Pedro, Adringra, Baleba, Ayari, Van Hecke, Estupinan, O’Riley, Veltman

Fabian Hurzeler calls for decisive ruling on goalkeeper treatment at set-pieces

16:10 , Mike Jones

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has called on the game’s rule makers to come up with a decisive ruling on how goalkeepers are treated at set-pieces.

Hurzeler was annoyed at a decision which went against his side during the 2-2 draw at Aston Villa on Monday night, where Tariq Lamptey earned a point after Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers had overturned Simon Adingra’s early opener.

The German felt Bart Verbruggen was impeded at corner which he flapped at immediately before Villa won a first-half penalty after a lengthy VAR check.

Fabian Hurzeler calls for decisive ruling on goalkeeper treatment at set-pieces

Hurzeler rues point against Villa and believes Brighton deserved more

16:05 , Mike Jones

Brighton deserved more than a point from their last match against Villa says manager Fabian Hurzeler who is keen to end the Seagulls’ run of draws.

The 2-2 result with Villa was Brighton’s fifth draw from their last seven matches.

“I think we deserved much more than one point, I thought we were the better team,” Hurzeler admitted, “We dominated the first 20-25 minutes but then we concede a penalty when it’s not possible that it’s a penalty.

“Bart [Verbruggen] was being blocked at the corner. You can give the penalty but also a foul on Bart. I don’t understand why it’s not a foul.

“It was too easy how we conceded two goals from set pieces but otherwise we defended good. In some moments, though, we were not mature enough.

“After the second goal we struggled for a bit and weren’t intense enough, but I thought in the last 30-35 minutes we did enough to win, the reaction was very impressive. We played well in and out of possession. We had big chances to get a third goal.”

Hurzeler delighted with Minteh impact

16:00 , Mike Jones

Fabian Hurzeler says he is delighted with the impact Yankuba Minteh has made off the bench this season. The Gambia international has made 14 Premier League appearances with eight of them coming as a substitute.

“I had a conversation with him the day before the game [against Villa] and I said he is in a good place,” Hurzeler explained ahead of today’s fixture against Arsenal.

“He should continue his work on the training pitch so he continues having an impact on our game. I think especially the games where he started as a sub, he had a great impact on our game.

“He created chances, he was a danger for the opponent. We have to work and have to help him improve on the small details - getting more assists and goals out of his actions.

“But in general I am happy with his work ethic, I am happy with his development. We should not forget how young he is and it is also like a very different culture from where he came from. That is why it is important to be patient with him.

“It is important to give him the environment where he can improve and then I am sure he will be a very important player for us, also in the future.”

‘Our identity is to play intense’ says Hurzeler

15:55 , Mike Jones

Fabian Hurzeler has backed his Brighton team to play with intensity against Arsenal in the hopes of securing a first league win in seven games.

The Seagulls boss said: “I think it’s very important that we play with our identity, our identity means to play intense. If you don’t play intense, we have no chance against Arsenal. If you don’t play with courage in possession, we have no chance.

“I think these two things are the main thing. Another big part of the game are set-pieces. When you see how much danger they can create by a set-piece, then we have to take care of these things.

“It’s also a big part. So these three things are very important.”

Aston Villa fail to close gap on top four with draw at home to Brighton

15:50 , Mike Jones

Aston Villa ended a hugely successful 2024 with a disappointing 2-2 draw against Brighton and Hove Albion as they failed to close the gap on the Premier League’s top four.

Villa started the year by reaching a Europa Conference League semi-final and qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in their history.

But their ambitions of finishing in the top four again look to be hamstrung by inconsistency which has produced results like this.

Aston Villa fail to close gap on top four with draw against Brighton

Arteta on Arsenal’s consistency

15:45 , Mike Jones

Speaking ahead of today’s game, Mikel Arteta says he hopes Arsenal can be more consistent as they look to challenge Liverpool for the title.

He said: “We have to show the same level of consistency and a bit more, because in the last year we have been the best team in the league, broken various records and still haven’t won a major trophy, so something is missing.

“It’s going to be very thin, small details, you can pick up in certain games and situations, but at the end, we’re so close and we just have to flip that coin to the other side to make it happen.

“That’s only going to happen if we do what we have to do and what we can control, the rest is out of our hands.”

Ben White nearing return from injury

15:40 , Mike Jones

Arsenal will soon be given the boost of Ben White’s return as the defender is recovering well from a knee injury according to Mikel Arteta.

The manager said: “Ben is still a few weeks away. His knee looks good, he’s reacted really well, and in the first few weeks everything is going smoothly.

“Now we need to start the load and that means he needs to get through many more things that up to now he hasn’t been able to do, but hopefully it’s good.

“His work ethic is unbelievable and naturally, he’s a really gifted player so I am very positive that we’re going to have him quite early, but I don’t know when.”

Arteta provides update on Sterling and Tomiyasu

15:35 , Mike Jones

Mikel Arteta gave an update on some of Arsenal’s recent absentees including Raheem Sterling and Takehiro Tomiyasu. The Gunners boss said: “Raheem’s starting to do some stuff on the pitch so that’s great news. As quickly as possible we want him available. Let’s see how he progresses this week and then see if we can go for the following week.

“Tomi again has done some stuff on the pitch but now because it’s been a long-term injury we need to see how quickly he can progress and how he reacts.”

When asked if Kai Havertz, who missed the last match through illness, is fit to play Arteta replied: “Yes, I think so.”

Arsenal show vital quality to surge to comeback victory over Brentford

15:30 , Mike Jones

Arsenal scored two goals in three second-half minutes to complete a 3-1 comeback victory at Brentford to move back up to second in the Premier League.

The Gunners were behind after just 13 minutes when Bryan Mbeumo struck for Brentford before David Raya nearly gift-wrapped the hosts a second when he allowed Keane Lewis-Potter’s shot to slip through his grasp.

Raya clawed the ball off his own line and one minute later Gabriel Jesus headed Arsenal back on level terms.

Arsenal show vital quality to surge to comeback victory over Brentford

Brighton vs Arsenal prediction

15:25 , Mike Jones

The Seagulls will back themselves to perform in front of their home supporters and with an extended break between now and the next league game they’ll throw everything they have at Arsenal.

The Gunners, knowing they cannot afford to drop points, will start slowly and might even concede first but they’ll respond well and manage to do enough to secure the three points.

Brighton 1-2 Arsenal.

Arsenal early team news

15:20 , Mike Jones

Arsenal were hit by an illness bug ahead of the New Year’s Day fixture at Brentford, with Kai Havertz missing out after coming down with sickness and other players affected. Jurrien Timber is suspended, which will likely mean Thomas Partey moves to a right-back role he has played on occasion this season.

Predicted Arsenal XI: Raya; Partey, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Rice, Merino; Martinelli, Jesus, Trossard.

Brighton early team news

15:15 , Mike Jones

Fabian Hurzeler will be hopeful that Pervis Estupinan is able to return after illness, while Adam Webster is nearing his own comeback after a longer lay off. James Milner and Danny Welbeck are among those who remain sidelined.

Predicted Brighton XI: Verbruggen; Lamptey, Dunk, Van Hecke, Estupinan; Baleba, O’Riley; Adingra, Rutter, Mitoma; Pedro.

How can I watch it?

15:10 , Mike Jones

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage from 5pm GMT. Subscribers can stream the action via Sky Go.

If you want to stream major sporting events while you are travelling or watching from abroad you’ll need a VPN. Get the best VPN deals in the UK. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.

When is Brighton vs Arsenal?

15:05 , Mike Jones

Brighton vs Arsenal is due to kick off at 5.30pm GMT on Saturday 4 January at the Amex Stadium.

Brighton vs Arsenal

15:00 , Mike Jones

Arsenal can close the gap to Liverpool to just three points as they travel south to take on Brighton.

With Arne Slot’s league leaders not in action until Sunday against Manchester United, Mikel Arteta and his side will hope to put the pressure on with another win after opening 2025 with an impressive fightback against Brentford.

Their hosts are likely to prove tricky opposition, though, having secured a draw in the reverse fixture in a game that saw Declan Rice controversially dismissed.

A run of seven games without a win has rather squandered a strong start under Fabian Hurzeler and Brighton will be keen to regather momentum as the second half of the Premier League season begins.

Good afternoon!

11:17 , Mike Jones

Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of today’s Premier League action as Brighton host Arsenal in Saturday’s late kick off.

The Seagulls are without a win in seven matches though they have drawn their last three league games against West Ham, Brentford and most recently Aston Villa. Fabian Hurzeler’s side are in decent form but haven’t been able to convert their nice play in positive results and will hope to change that against the Gunners today.

They have a difficult task on their hands however. Arsenal are one of the most in-form sides in the league. They are unbeaten in 12 matches across all competitions and have won their last three league games by an aggregate score of 9-2. Gabriel Jesus is back to his best goalscoring form and Mikel Arteta’s men have so far managed to limit the loss of Bukayo Saka to injury.

But how will today’s encounter at the Amex Stadium turn out?

We’ll have all the team news, line-ups and match action throughout the day so stick with us as we build up to kick off at 5.30pm.