Arsenal's 100% record in the 2024/2025 EPL season was broken at the Emirates as the Gunners drew 1-1 against the Seagulls (Brighton). Kai Havertz opened the scoring for Arsenal in the 38th minute courtesy of a Bukayo Saka assist. However the match went in a different direction for the Gunners in the second half when Declan Rice was controversially sent off for a second booking in the 49th minute. Arsenal with a man down couldn't hold on for too long to their lead as Joao Pedro came through for the Seagulls with a goal in the 58th minute making the scoreline 1 goal a piece.
The highlight of the match which was an early kickoff on Saturday was no doubt the Declan Rice red card incidence as many football fans feel Chris Kavanagh got it all wrong for booking Rice the second time of the match. The Arsenal midfielder, already booked for a wild challenge on Veltman in the first half, was shown his marching orders by referee Chris Kavanagh due to a second bookable offence.W ith Arsenal winning 1-0 and on course for a ninth straight Premier League win, Rice delayed the restart at a Brighton free-kick, colliding with Joel Veltman's swinging leg before going down.
To be honest I feel there were so many weird events in Declan Rice red card incidence. One just wonders if the freekick that led to Rice being sent off was a legit freekick to begin with?
Also, Veltman doesn't take the freekick from where he was fouled as he threw the ball at Rice who is walking away. The ball is still moving as Veltman goes to kick it while Veltman kicks him.
The refs decision on Saturday to send off Declan rice is exactly why fans think refs cheat, Joao P.edro kicks the ball away about 50 yards and the ref turns a blind eye . Rice on the other hand taps it 1 yard and gets a yellow. It honestly makes no sense if you ask me. This weekend, Joao Pedro, Pedro Palmer & Cole Palmer have all kicked the ball away and all avoided punishment. Declan Rice’s red was a ref making the story about him, not only did it cost Arsenal , it rules him out of a crucial game against Spurs. Consistency is all we ask for.
I cannot get on board with that. If that’s a yellow card, football has officially gone. It was one of them moments when Brighton needed a breather. They weren’t wanting to take a quick free-kick anyway. If the referee had an ounce of common sense, he wouldn’t have given a yellow card for that.
Moving forward, the sending off leaves Arsenal in a difficult scenario. With Rice suspended and new midfield signing Mikel Merino suffering a fractured shoulder in his first training session for the club on Thursday, the sales of Fabio Vieira and Emile Smith Rowe this summer mean the Gunners are short for midfielders for their next game - a north London derby at Tottenham on September 15. Arsenal have Jorginho and Leandro Trossard who can fill in Rice's midfield position, while Kai Havertz played there last season but is currently the only fit centre forward the Gunners have due to Gabriel Jesus' injury.
This no doubt a major test for the Gunners moving forward. Its way too early in the season to conclude the Gunners will play catch up with City and Liverpool but at the same time the Arsenal can't afford to drop points when it matters the most . I hope the boys will bounce back after the international break and put up a decent performance against bitter rivals Spurs next time out.