Arsenal’s last trip to the south coast had ended in a shock defeat at Southampton 10 days earlier but they avoided another damaging result thanks to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s 13th goal of the season and a much more solid defensive display than that at St Mary’s. Jürgen Locadia, though, equalised to give Chris Hughton’s side an invaluable point after a run of three defeats of their own.
It was still a frustrating night for Arsenal’s travelling supporters, that frustration summed up at the final whistle when Unai Emery kicked a stray water bottle that spun into the crowd behind him. The Arsenal manager apologised but his side have become becalmed of late and the Spaniard will not need reminding of Tottenham’s contrasting vibrant form over the holiday period.
Locadia, a Dutch forward who cost Brighton £14m, has not had the happiest of times at the club and this was his first goal of the season. Hughton was the more content manager, with Arsenal ending the evening 13 points adrift of Liverpool, whom they meet at Anfield on Saturday night. Brighton had to endure a torrid start and deserved their precious point.
“I hope Jürgen can make progress now,” said Hughton. “He has had a difficult time but he is a very committed player and his goal couldn’t have come at a better time. In the end I was a bit disappointed we didn’t go on to win.”
For Brighton it was a bad time to lose the services of Lewis Dunk, their England central defender, who was banned as a result of his dismissal at Bournemouth on Saturday.
Dunk had scored one of Brighton’s goals in the 2-1 win over Arsène Wenger’s side here last season and he left a large hole in a defence facing the threat of Aubameyang, the Premier League’s top scorer.
The Gabon striker was soon causing Brighton problems, his lob forcing Mat Ryan to turn the ball over the bar; moments later Brighton failed to clear the danger and Aubameyang found himself unmarked in the area. His finishing is as sharp as a tack at the moment and an angled first-time shot gave the stranded Australia goalkeeper no chance.
Glenn Murray had returned to lead Brighton’s attack and midway through the first half gave the visitors’ defence a fright when he appeared to have beaten Bernd Leno to a low cross and turned the ball over the line; but he was ruled by Anthony Taylor to have fouled the goalkeeper. Murray continued to pose a danger with Leno forced to stretch to save a snap shot from the veteran striker.
Aubameyang continued to keep the makeshift Brighton defence honest, missing a chance at the other end before Brighton equalised out of the blue. Granit Xhaka’s corner was cleared and Davy Pröpper hit a hopeful ball downfield. Stephan Lichtsteiner headed the ball into the path of Locadia who had come from nowhere and beat Leno from near the penalty spot.
Alex Iwobi replaced Mesut Özil after the break. The German, making his 200th appearance for a side he seems destined to be leaving soon, had shown some nice touches in the first half without really imposing himself on the game.
Instead it was Mattéo Guendouzi who was pulling most of the strings for Arsenal’s midfield. He had ended the first half in some pain and Martín Montoya was booked for a reckless challenge on the Frenchman.
Emery said his early substitution of Özil tactical. The Spaniard said: “For the first 45 minutes we controlled the match but we didn’t create many chances after the break. It is difficult at the moment because we have a number of injuries but we are improving. The draw was not the best but it was not the worst.”
Pröpper had a chance on the hour as Brighton continued to look the most likely side to break the deadlock. Solly March, influential in Brighton’s midfield, had a better opportunity when he escaped the clutches of Xhaka but his shot did not trouble Leno.
Arsenal survived but they headed back up the A23 to London a relieved side. “I think they were there for the taking,” said Ryan.
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