Arsenal player ratings: Havertz and Odegaard shine as Declan Rice’s stupid red costs Gunners two points
ARSENAL dropped points for the first time this season thanks to a moment of stupidity from Declan Rice.
The Gunners were leading Brighton 1-0 before a moment of petulance from the £105million man early in the second half.
Rice, 25, received a second yellow card in the 49th minute for prodding the ball away from Joel Veltman as the Dutchman went to take a quick free kick.
And a mere nine minutes later, Joao Pedro cancelled out Kai Havertz‘s sumptuous first-half finish.
The draw has ended Arsenal‘s 100 per cent start to the new campaign, which will no doubt have annoyed manager Mikel Arteta.
And SunSport is on hand to rate and slate the performances of the Spaniard’s troops.
David Raya – 6/10
Initially had very little to do but was solid on the few occasions he was called upon. Denied Yankuba Minteh in the first half with a routine save.
Stopped his side from going 2-1 down in the 75th minute, brilliantly saving Yasin Ayari’s shot at a largely open goal.
Ben White – 6
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Spent large portions of the match in the Brighton half supporting Saka.
Was solid defensively against the tricky Karou Mitoma.
William Saliba – 6
Continues to show an incredible ability to read the game and positional awareness. Thwarted the few Brighton attacks which managed to make their way into the box before Rice’s red.
Gabriel – 5
Marshalled the defence well with Saliba but seldom found himself in a one-on-one situation before Rice’s red. Was too far apart from the Frenchman in the build-up to Brighton’s equaliser.
Jurrien Timber – 6
Switched off and allowed Minteh to ghost in behind him for a header early in the first half but was solid after that lapse in concentration.
Martin Odegaard – 7
Was at the centre of everything good the Gunners did, pulling the strings from the first minute of the match.
Should’ve put his side ahead in the 17th minute when he ghosted onto a cross into the box.
Thomas Partey – 6
Anchored the midfield well and showed new signing Mikel Merino that he won’t give up his place in the starting XI without a fight.
Declan Rice – 4
Tenacious on the left side of the midfield and was a threat going forward in the first half.
Stupidly put his team under pressure just after the restart by getting himself sent off for kicking the ball away.
Bukayo Saka – 7
Was lively from the outset, tormenting Seagulls left-back Jack Hinshelwood every time he ran at him.
Should have scored in the eighth minute when Odeegard beautifully teed him up for a close-range effort.
Made up for his poor finish with a stellar assist for Havertz after bullying Lewis Dunk off the ball. Should’ve got a better connection on Havertz’s 77th-minute cross to restore the North Londoners’ lead.
Kai Havertz – 8
Was anonymous for large portions of the match but constantly made his brilliant runs in behind which created space for his team-mates.
Produced a deft finish over the advancing Bart Verbruggen in the 37th minute to break the deadlock.
But he missed a sitter in the 75th minute that would’ve restored his side’s advantage.
Leandro Trossard – 6
Struggled to get into the match against his former club and cut a frustrated figure on the left wing.
But he produced a good save from Verbruggen just before the half-time interval.
Subs
Riccardo Calafiori – 6
The Italian was thrown on to shore up the defence after Rice’s red card and did just that, as well as offering an outlet on the left wing.
Gabriel Martinelli – 5
Tried his best but failed to inject his usual energy into the game.
Oleksandr Zinchenko – 5
The Ukranian was brought on to further bolster the struggling defence but almost cost his side the game in stoppage time by allowing Carlos Baleba a free header in the box.