If Arsenal are serious about winning the Premier League this season, Mikel Arteta may want to rethink his plans for the January transfer market. It meant a further loss of two points in the race to catch leaders Liverpool, as a João Pedro penalty canceled out Ethan Nwaneri’s second Premier League goal. But it could have been even worse if Fabian Hürzeler’s team had taken advantage of their chances in the second half, when they were significantly better.

Despite extending their unbeaten run in all competitions to 12 games, Arsenal relied too heavily on their set-piece prowess and ultimately held on despite concerted pressure from Brighton. Arteta has so far insisted he is happy with the squad at his disposal, but with talisman Bukayo Saka’s extended absence and other obstacles facing him, he will certainly need reinforcements in attack.

With the prospect of seven more games this month, the illness, which meant Arsenal were once again without Kai Havertz and could only name Martin Ødegaard and Gabriel Martinelli on the bench, didn’t help Arteta’s plans. He entrusted Nwaneri with a second successive start at right-back after the teenager impressed on his Premier League debut against Brentford, while Leandro Trossard – who was booed throughout – was recalled at left-back against his former club. Jorginho also returned to the starting XI for the first time in almost a month, joining Declan Rice and Mikel Merino in a midfield that lacked creativity without its captain.

Brighton – who were without captain Lewis Dunk due to a calf strain – had lost just once here this season but their home form has been patchy to say the least, with Hürzeler admitting this week he understands fans’ frustration with recent results. One of their problems was scoring enough goals while Danny Welbeck continued to be sidelined as Matt O’Riley was given the opportunity to support João Pedro in attack. But on the other hand, the hosts showed their incompetence early on when Merino put on Jesus, who was then ruled offside after Bart Verbruggen parried his shot.

Brighton ignored their warning and were caught out when Rice won the ball down the right touchline and found Merino, whose through ball was perfect for Nwaneri. He ran away from Jan Paul van Hecke and then beat Verbruggen with a shot that the Brighton goalkeeper probably should have used better to create joyful celebrations in the away game. “He’s one of us,” chanted the Arsenal fans.

David Raya required treatment after being tackled by O’Riley following a Brighton attack, but the Arsenal goalkeeper was underused for most of the first half as the home side were kept at bay. Even when Simon Adingra was set up by João Pedro after good work on the left by Brajan Gruda, the Ivory Coast striker was unable to find the net from 10 yards out.

It took some clever footwork from Verbruggen to avoid giving Arsenal another goal as he was brought down by Jesus, before a dangerous Rice corner saw the Brazilian fall to the ground as Merino collided with him.

Nwaneri was booked just before half-time for a late take on another corner and was replaced by Martinelli at the break, while Hürzeler brought in record signings Georginio Rutter and Yankuba Minteh from the bench to free up his side.

The Brighton coach’s frustration with referee Anthony Taylor threatened to boil over as another decision went against them at the start of the second half, but his side continued to lack penetration. It was not unusual for Arsenal’s best chance to extend their lead to come from a set-piece, with Merino unable to make proper contact on a low free-kick from Rice that fizzed over the goalmouth.

But disaster struck when William Saliba misplaced his attack on João Pedro in the Arsenal area and hit the Brighton striker with his head in the face. This time Taylor fell in favor of the home side and João Pedro fired his penalty past Raya to equalize.

Arteta threw Ødegaard in place of Jorginho, who escaped punishment despite being seen aiming a kick at Joël Veltman in the penalty shootout. But suddenly it was Brighton who sensed an opportunity.

Minteh was inches away from finding Kaoru Mitoma at the back post after a lightning-quick counterattack that left Arteta fearing the worst. But even though his defense held firm in the end, it was another reality check for the Arsenal manager.