Three Things We Learned from Arsenal's draw at Brighton as ludicrous decision costs Gunners victory 

Here's Ian Mills must-read piece after Anthony Taylor made it all about him during Arsenal's frustrating 1-1 draw at Brighton 

For the second time this season against Brighton, we have been on the end of a controversial decision, but as our attack misfires once more, further vital points are dropped.

Here are three things that stood out for me, writes Ian Mills 

1 - A ludicrous decision costs us points once again versus Brighton -

Back in August, Declan Rice’s harsh red card helped turn a game we were comfortably leading 1-0 at half time, into a match we ended up drawing and could have lost.

You will struggle to see another player this season penalised for slightly nudging the ball away and then being clattered from behind whilst his assailant escaped any punishment.

However, if you thought that was bad then the decision to award a penalty against William Saliba after he got a clear touch on the ball and then he and Pedro accidentally clashed heads – was frankly astonishing.

The fact that VAR checked and cleared the on-field decision within seconds added to the sense of injustice.

I guarantee you will not see another penalty given for this type of ‘offence’ ever again.

What was even more galling was the fact that Gabriel was blatantly having his shirt pulled at a first half corner, yet this was deemed no foul.

2 - Blunt attack in urgent need of replenishments –

This was the ninth time this campaign that we have scored none or a single goal in a Premier League game - and we have dropped points in seven of those.

Once more we were without Kai Havertz, absent once more due to illness and Martin Odegaard was only fit enough for the bench having fallen victim to the same bug, while Gabi Martinelli was also only fit enough to begin as a substitute.

Once Ethan Nwaneri was withdrawn at half time, we lacked any attacking threat and Brighton looked the most likely side to find a winner.

Rumours abound that we looking to sign Aleksander Isak next summer (not that it will be an easy signing to make by any means) however we need something this month as however unlikely a Premier League title feels right now, we still have three other competitions to fight for.

If we do not sign anyone I would class that as negligence from the club’s hierarchy.

3 - The Cups offer a welcome distraction –

We have certainly not had the luck of the draw when it comes to injuries this season so far, add to these a bout of illness sweeping through the squad along with suspensions and we are being stretched to the limit.

In the immediate aftermath of more dropped points, it easy to overlook the fact that we are currently unbeaten in 13 matches in all competitions.

Momentum is so important in sport and our next two fixtures are in the domestic cups.

First up it’s Newcastle in the semi-final first leg of the Carabao Cup followed by the FA Cup third round clash vs Manchester United.

Both are tough ties on paper, however with home advantage in each of them we need to use them to unite as manager, coaches, the squad and the fans to try to record two important wins in our quest for silverare away from the Premier League before we resume our campaign to lift the title for the first time in more than two decades.