Declan Rice was sent off for the first time in his Premier League career, as Arsenal were pegged back by a buoyant Brighton at the Emirates.
Brighton moved top of the Premier League after holding 10-man Arsenal to a 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium.
Kai Havertz’s first-half strike was cancelled out by Joao Pedro, while the hosts played most of the second half with a player less following Declan Rice’s red card for two bookable offences.
The Gunners broke the deadlock seven minutes before half-time when Bukayo Saka outmuscled Lewis Dunk before teeing up Havertz, who lifted the ball into the empty net over the outrushing Bart Verbruggen.
However, Mikel Arteta’s side were reduced to 10 men within four minutes of the restart, with Rice shown a second yellow card after he was deemed to have prevented the taking of a Brighton free-kick.
The Seagulls were level just nine minutes later when David Raya parried Yankuba Minteh’s initial strike straight to Joao Pedro, who made no mistake from close range.
Fabian Hurzeler’s side looked more likely to grab the game’s decisive third goal as they dominated possession later on but, in the end, were forced to settle for a share of the spoils.
