Brighton ended Arsenal’s successful start to the new Premier League season with a 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, with the home side holding on to a point after Declan Rice was shown a controversial second-half red card.

Arsenal dominated the first half and deservedly led at the break after Kai Havertz scored a brilliant goal in the 38th minute, expertly played in by Bukayo Saka.

However, four minutes into the second half, Arsenal’s task became even harder when Rice was sent off after receiving his second yellow card for delaying a Brighton free-kick by kicking the ball away.

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The decision sparked anger from the home crowd, who expected Brighton defender Joël Veltman to be punished for kicking Rice, when the Arsenal midfielder tapped the ball out of his path.

Brazilian striker Joao Pedro scored Brighton’s goal 12 minutes later.

Both teams missed good chances to win the match in the final phase, but they had to settle for one point.