Player Ratings: Brighton 1-1 Arsenal 

Controversial referee Anthony Taylor awards penalty that cost Arsenal victory 

Unusual penalty gives Joao Pedro the equaliser for Brighton after Ethan Nwaneri's first half opener 

So, accidentally clashing heads is now a penalty is it?

— Layth (@laythy29) January 4, 2025

Arsenal:

David Raya: 6/10 - Sent the wrong way for Pedro's penalty that denied Arsenal a vital victory 

Thomas Partey: 6/10 - Operated at right-back after Jurrien Timber picked up a fifth yellow card of the season at Brentford to trigger a mandatory one match ban

William Saliba: 7/10 - So, accidentally clashing heads is now awarded as a penalty is it? Joao Pedro flicked the ball up in the box and Saliba, going to head it away, made contact with Pedro's head – as referee Anthony Taylor decides to give a penalty.

Earlier Brighton No8 Brajan Gruda attempted to gain the upper hand at times, but Arsenal’s imperious centre-back merely brushed the attacker off with his usual insouciance. Tracked back superbly to deny Simon Adingra and Joao Pedro on other occasions.

Gabriel: 6.5/10 -Solid and relaible 

Riccardo Calafiori: 6/10 - Mikel Arteta opted for the Italian at left-back instead of Myles Lewis-Skelly. Engaged in an absorbing duel with Albion No26 Yasin Ayai at times

Declan Rice: 6.5/10 - Back in the starting line-up after a bug swept through the squad on New Year’s Day

Jorginho: 6/10 - Captained the Gunners on a freezing evening on the south coast but was not particularly effective as the game passed him by. Substituted after Brighton’s equaliser

Mikel Merino: 7/10 - Played in Nwaneri for his goal as the 28-year-old settles in further with every game played

Ethan Nwaneri: 7.5/10 - Not the only precocious 17-year-old to shine in 2025 but certain easier on the eye than Luke Littler. Showed his quality when firing through Albion keeper Bart Verbruggen to put the Gunners ahead on 16 minutes. Showed his inexperience by getting booked when taking too long on a corner moments before half time, and took the wrong option at times against the more experienced Pervis Estupan,  but, overall, hios eye-catching performance will certainly have alerted the watching Thomas Tuchel as to his precociousness

Jesus: 6/10 - Had an early chance blocked by Seagulls keeper Bert Verbruggen

Leandro Trossard: 6/10 - Received hearty boos from the home support at the start of the match, presumably due to his move from the south coast to North London this month two years ago

Substitutes:

Gabi Martinelli: 6/10 - Replaced the precocious Nwaneri at the interval after the 17-year-old’s goal – and late first half booking – to mark his 200thappearance for Arsenal

Martin Odegaard: 5/10 - Arteta brought on the Gunners talisman midfielder just as Brighton appeared to be gaining momentum following Pedro’s penalty, and the introduction of crowd favourite Mitoma, in a bid to give the home side something to think about

“Anthony Taylor: It’s All About You” sing the Arsenal fans behind the goal here at Brighton pic.twitter.com/ava6SLSszK

— Layth (@laythy29) January 4, 2025