If we look at the results, Arsenal‘ last loss in the Premier League came on November 2nd when Newcastle defeated them and the Gunners carried their unbeaten record into the 2025 with a draw in Brighton (1-1), but with Liverpool‘s blistering form, even a draw from the team which defeated Manchester City (2-1) is not enough for the Premier League title race. Mikel Arteta came with his team into this match with a clear goal – to win and put the pressure on the Reds, who do have two games in hand, but would still see Arsenal with only three points less in second place. But they had to play a lot better in this game as Brighton proved to be a tough opponent who deserved their point. The Seagulls now failed to win in eight matches in a row and played their tenth draw so far, but the story is about the Gunners who are losing even more hope of that title they are chasing so long. In this rather boring game, Arsenal players just didn‘t create enough chances to score (or Brighton didn‘t allowed them the opportunity) and finished the game with only three shot on target. On the other side, the penalty from which the home team scored their goal was a bit odd, since it was head to head duel which is rarely given as a penalty, but still, much more was expected from the guests. Gunners‘ fans will be pleased to see young Ethan Nwaneri scoring again, but the big picture is not looking good at the moment.📽️ – Saliba brings down Joao Pedro with his head, penalty brighton!pic.twitter.com/PnNaCp0CVW— Football Report (@FootballReprt) January 4, 2025 🚨🏴 GOAL | Brighton 1-1 Arsenal | Joao PedroJOAO PEDRO HAS EQUALIZED FOR BRIGHTON !!!!!!!!!pic.twitter.com/YrObrfisS2— Tekkers Foot (@tekkersfoot) January 4, 2025 This was never meant to be an easy game for the Gunners and Mikel Arteta knew it. To make things worse, apart from being without Bukayo Saka, both Martin Odegaard and Martinelli both had health issues before the game and were moved to the bench. With all right-footed defenders injured or suspended, Thomas Partney had to step in as the right back again. The Gunners fought hard for their lead as the Seagulls were not giving the guests an inch of space without a fight. After just 15 minutes and without a proper chance before that, Arsenal took the lead. The seventeen year Nwaneri started the match again and scored in the Premier League again! Merino stared the action with a clever flick and Nwaneri came from the right side to the inside and finished the action with a leading goal. Arsenal‘s play after the leading goal was well described by the home fans who sang ‘Boring, boring Arsenal’, but Arteta didn‘t care, his team was in the lead. The Seagulls had a fantastic opportunity after half an hour when O’Riley found Adingra but the player was off his balance when needed an instead of an easy goal, he shot wide right.Nwaneri goal, bro was moving like Messi pic.twitter.com/d4u0C53dTR— Frique (@afc_frique) January 4, 2025 The Gunners desperately needed the second goal in order to ‘kill‘ the game, so Arteta introduced Martinelli after the break, but it didn‘t help. Instead, the home team capitalized after Saliba conceded the penalty, after a contact with Joao Pedro‘s head in the penalty area. The Brazilian was precise and not only it was 1-1, but the momentum turned to Brighton‘s side. Odegaard was introduced in order to create magic in the last 30 minutes, while Mitoma came in for the hosts in order to get more chances with his dribblings. Arsenal have only managed one half chance by Rice after the Brighton equalizer despite having Odegaard in the game and that‘s not enough if you want to win any game in England.ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 20Saturday Tottenham – Newcastle 1-2 (1-2)/Solanke 4 – Gordon 6, Isak 38/Aston Villa – Leicester (8.00)/Barkley 58, Bailey 76 – Mavididi 63/Bournemouth – Everton 1-0 (0-0)/Brooks 77/Crystal Palace – Chelsea 1-1 (0-1)/Mateta 82 – Cole 14/Man.City – West Ham 4-1 (2-0)/Coufal (og) 10, Haaland 42, 55, Foden 58 – Fullkrug 71/Southampton – Brentford 0-5(0-1)/Chade 6, Mbuemo 62, 69, Wissa 90+2, Lewis Potter 90+5/Brighton – Arsenal 1-1 (0-1)/Pedro (p) 61 – Nwaneri 16/Sunday 17.00: (1.57) Fulham (4.00) Ipswich (6.00)19.30: (1.33) Liverpool (5.50) Man.Utd. (8.50)Monday23.00: (3.20) Wolverhampton (3.30) Nott.Forest (2.30)***odds are subject to change***
