Ethan Nwaneri's early goal was cancelled out by Joao Pedro as Brighton claimed a 1-1 draw with Arsenal at the Amex Stadium
Arsenal saw a first-half lead slip away as they were held to a costly 1-1 draw at Brighton in a major blow to their Premier League title hopes.
With illness still causing problems in the Gunners changing room, Mikel Arteta had to once again leave out Kai Havertz completely while captain Martin Odegaard and winger Gabriel Martinelli were only deemed fit enough for the bench.
That meant a second Premier League start in a row for 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri and it was the young attacker who opened the scoring for the visitors on 16 minutes, racing onto Mikel Merino's pass before finishing well to become the first ever Arsenal player to score multiple Premier League goals before turning 18.
And that's how the score remained until just after the hour mark when Brighton were awarded a penalty after William Saliba was penalised for heading Joao Pedro as he attempted to clear a bouncing ball in the box. Brighton's Brazilian striker dusted himself off and scored the spot-kick himself to level things up.
And that proved to be the final goal of what was a scrappy game, with the draw seeing Arsenal move to within five points of leaders Liverpool. The Reds now have two games in hand on Arteta's side, who will be glad to see the back of Joao Pedro, who also secured a 1-1 draw for Brighton at Emirates Stadium earlier in the season.
GOAL rates Arsenal's players from the Amex Stadium…
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David Raya (6/10):
Didn't have much to do in terms of making saves, but swept up well when he was needed.
Thomas Partey (6/10):
Lost possession a couple of times in dangerous areas, but on the whole it was a solid display operating as the makeshift right-back.
William Saliba (7/10):
So strong and so calm under pressure, although it was his misjudged attempted header that gave away the penalty.
Gabriel Magalhaes (7/10):
Solid alongside Saliba. The centre-back pair just provide Arsenal with so much stability.
Riccardo Calafiori (6/10):
Looked more comfortable than he did against Brentford. Growing back into the team after his injury absence.
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Jorginho (5/10):
Played a few nice passes in the first half, but looked a bit leggy as the game wore on.
Declan Rice (7/10):
Operating in the Martin Odegaard role he performed quite well. Clever link up play with Merino in the build up to the opener.
Mikel Merino (6/10):
Lovely ball to send Nwaneri away for his early goal. A player who is starting to look much more comfortable in the side.
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Ethan Nwaneri (7/10):
Great finish to give Arsenal the lead early on. Took real responsibility having ran on to Merino's pass. Saw plenty of the ball and looked lively, but was replaced at half-time after picking up a booking just before the interval.
Gabriel Jesus (5/10):
Saw one shot saved, although the flag did go up. Didn't stop working in a game where he was starved of good chances.
Leandro Trossard (5/10):
Booed on his return to his former club. Worked hard, but got little joy down the left. Shot wildly over late on.
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Gabriel Martinelli (6/10):
Couldn't really impact things in the second half. Made a couple of nice runs behind the full-back but wasn't picked out.
Martin Odegaard (5/10):
Didn't look fit at all when he came on. Looked miles off it.
Mikel Arteta (6/10):
Tough job for the manager with so many players missing or suffering with illness. Will be disappointed to have seen his side surrender a lead having got themselves in front.
