A controversy penalty give Arsenal a blow in title chasing
- FlashFootball 2025/01/05 01:27
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An early goal from Arsenal teenager Ethan Nwaneri was cancelled out by a Joao Pedro penalty as Brighton & Hove Albion held the struggling Gunners to a 1-1 draw in the Premier League on Saturday.
Arsenal are second in the table on 40 points after 20 games, five behind leaders Liverpool, who host Manchester United on Sunday in one of two games against their closest challengers. Brighton are 10th on 28 points.
Nwaneri opened the scoring 16 minutes into his second Premier League start, the 17-year-old breaking down the right and cutting inside before unleashing a low shot past Bart Verbruggen.
Nwaneri was booked in first-half stoppage time for lingering over a corner at the end of a comfortable opening period for his side, but that changed as Brighton came out firing after the break.
They equalised in the 61st minute after Pedro was awarded a penalty following a clash of heads with William Saliba as he attempted to turn in the box, and referee Anthony Taylor had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
Pedro stepped up and sent David Raya the wrong way to level the scores and, despite needing a win to keep the pressure on Liverpool, Arsenal continued to struggle.
The hosts should have won the game in the 77th minute when Yankuba Minteh curled the ball across the face of goal, but neither Yasin Ayari nor Kaoru Mitoma could find the target.
The closest Arsenal came to scoring was an injury-time effort from former Brighton man Leandro Trossard that flew harmlessly over the bar as the hosts held on for a fourth successive draw.
Arsenal's third draw in six Premier League games left Liverpool with a huge advantage in the title race.
"We wanted to win and we weren't able to do that. We're very disappointed with the decision [to award a penalty]," Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told Sky Sports.
"I've never seen that in my life and Saliba touches the ball. For me, no [penalty]."
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