Brighton 1-1 Arsenal: Joao Pedro denies Gunners again as controversial penalty sees points shared | OneFootball

The Gunners held by Brighton for the second time this season

Joao Pedro has scored in both games against Arsenal this season.

AFP via Getty Images

Arsenal have drawn away at Brighton, therefore missing the chance to close the gap at the top of the Premier League table to three points.

As a result, the north London outfit now trail Liverpool by five points. Though the league leaders have two games in hand starting with Sunday afternoon’s clash at home to an out-of-form Manchester United side.

With Arsenal’s hectic fixture schedule in mind, Mikel Arteta opted to name captain Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli on the substitutes bench for the game at the Amex Stadium as Declan Rice, Jorginho and Leandro Trossard returned to the starting lineup.

The visitors took the lead in the 16th minute when Mikel Merino released Nwaneri down the right and the Gunners youngster ignored Rice, who was arguably in a better position, as he cut in on to his favoured left foot and found the back of the net with a low finish.

Without threatening to increase their lead, Arsenal saw out the remainder of the first-half in a professional manner but in the space of a minute in the second half, the game was turned on its head.

Firstly, Declan Rice’s quick low free-kick just needed a better connection from Merino and the Gunners would have doubled their lead. Seconds later they were facing a penalty after William Saliba was adjudged to have fouled Joao Pedro in the area.

Just like he did in the reverse fixture back in August at the Emirates Stadium, the Brazilian equalised for Brighton as made no mistake from the spot.

That goal prompted the introduction of Odegaard but not even he could make the difference as Arsenal must now look for help from Man Utd to avoid falling eight points behind Liverpool come Sunday evening.