Brighton 1-1 Arsenal (January 4, 2025) Match analysis

Brighton 1-1 Arsenal (January 4, 2025) Match analysis

An early goal from Arsenal teenager Ethan Nwaneri was canceled out by a Joao Pedro penalty as Brighton & Hove Albion held the struggling Gunners to a 1-1 draw in the Premier League on Saturday, ending the visitors’ title hopes.

Arsenal are second in the table with 40 points after 20 games, five behind leaders Liverpool, who host Manchester United on Sunday in one of their two remaining games against their closest rivals. Brighton is in 10th place with 28 points.

Nwaneri scored 16 minutes into his second Premier League start. The 17-year-old broke through down the right and shot inside before confidently firing a low shot past Bart Verbruggen. He is the first Arsenal player to score two Premier League goals before his 18th birthday.

Nwaneri was booked in first-half injury time for taking too long from a corner at the end of what had been a comfortable opening period for his side, but that changed when Brighton came out flying after the break.

Joao Pedro’s penalty earned Brighton a point against Arsenal at the Amex.

Shaun Brooks – CameraSport via Getty Images


They equalized in the 61st minute after Pedro was awarded a penalty after clashing with William Saliba as he tried to turn in the penalty area. Referee Anthony Taylor hesitated before pointing to the penalty.

Pedro stepped up and sent David Raya the wrong way to equalize, and despite needing a win to keep the pressure on Liverpool, Arsenal continued to fight.

The hosts should have scored the winner in the 77th minute when Yankuba Minteh shot the ball over the goal, but neither Yasin Ayari nor Kaoru Mitoma could direct it into the net.

Arsenal came closest to a goal when former Brighton player Leandro Trossard fired a shot in stoppage time that flew harmlessly over the crossbar as the hosts secured their fourth straight draw.

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