Declan Rice was controversially sent off for the first time in the Premier League as Arsenal were held to a contentious 1-1 draw against Brighton on Saturday.
Mikel Arteta’s side had taken the lead through Kai Havertz’s first-half goal when Rice received a red card after the break at the Emirates Stadium.
In a peculiar incident, the Arsenal midfielder earned a second yellow card for gently kicking the ball away and failing to retreat after fouling Brighton’s Joel Veltman.
Rice appeared stunned by the decision, while Arteta sought clarification from the fourth official as Arsenal fans directed chants of “you’re not fit to referee” at Chris Kavanagh.
The Premier League stated that Rice was sent off for “delaying the restart.” VAR could not intervene since it was a yellow card offense and not a straight red.
Brighton capitalized on Rice’s dismissal to equalize through Joao Pedro, ending Arsenal’s perfect start to their title campaign as they aim to win the league for the first time since 2004.
The Gunners had won their first two games of the season against Wolves and Aston Villa, but this draw was their first setback in their quest to dethrone champions Manchester City.
Arsenal will be without the suspended Rice when they face Tottenham in the North London derby on September 15, following the international break.
Commenting on Rice’s red card, Arteta said, “If it happens consistently throughout the game, it’s fine, but it didn’t. It’s the inconsistency.”
“We started the game very well, scored the goal, 1-0. We began the second half strongly, but then there was the decision that completely changed the game.”
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler, however, saw things differently, saying, “First of all, he kicks the ball away, so it’s a clear yellow card. It changed the momentum of the game.”
Hurzeler has had an impressive start with Brighton, who remain unbeaten in three games, building on last weekend’s win over Manchester United.
Arsenal’s new signing, Raheem Sterling, watched from the stands after his deadline day loan move from Chelsea.
Sterling, who was sidelined by new Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, wasn’t registered in time to play but received cheers from Arsenal fans when his arrival at the club was announced at the stadium.
In the early stages, Bukayo Saka repeatedly troubled Brighton defender Jack Hinshelwood with his pace and movement, creating space for two shots that Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen saved.
Arteta’s faith that Havertz could be a reliable striker for a title-challenging team seemed well-founded in the 38th minute as the German opened the scoring.
Havertz, who faced criticism for scoring just 13 goals last season following his move from Chelsea, displayed composure and skill by chipping the ball over the advancing Verbruggen from the edge of the area after Saka capitalized on Lewis Dunk’s hesitation with a clever flicked pass.
Rice narrowly escaped a red card earlier after a strong challenge on Veltman, a decision that saw Hurzeler booked for protesting.
However, Rice was not so fortunate in the 49th minute when he was sent off for kicking the ball away and failing to retreat before a Brighton free-kick.
Rice had just conceded a foul with a challenge on Veltman, who responded by kicking out at the midfielder, an act that appeared more serious.
Pedro added to Arsenal’s woes with his equalizer in the 58th minute.
Dunk’s superb pass split the Gunners’ defense, allowing Yankuba Minteh to break free for a shot that David Raya parried, only for Pedro to finish from close range.
It was the first goal Arsenal had conceded this season, but they had chances to retake the lead, with Havertz breaking through for a low shot that Verbruggen saved, followed by Saka’s sliding effort that was also stopped.
In a tense conclusion, Raya saved a close-range shot from Yasin Ayari, and Carlos Baleba blasted over the bar as 10-man Arsenal held on for the draw.
