Mikel Arteta reacts to unfair red card for Declan Rice

Declan Rice was given a second booking by the official Chris Kavanagh at the start of the second half. The Premier League afterwards confirmed that this was for delaying the restart. When questioned about the red card that was given to Declan Rice against Brighton, which will prevent the midfielder from playing in the North London Derby, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta criticised a lack of consistency after the game.

It was also Arsenal's first goal surrendered this season, Rice's first red card of his career, and the very first time that the Gunners had lost ground in the new campaign. Rice's punishment means that when Arsenal return from their international break, he will also be missing the North London Derby. After the game, Arteta spoke with TNT Sports and expressed his displeasure, saying his squad was not given a complete explanation for the red, "like always".

He said, "If it [bookings for delaying the restart] happens throughout the game in a consistent way it is fine but it didn't. It is the inconsistency.  When asked about an explanation, None, like always. We started the game really well," he said. "We scored the goal, 1-0. We started the second half really good but then there is the decision that changes the game completely."

Meanwhile, Brighton coach Fabian Hurzeler did not find anything wrong with the red. He said, "First of all he shoots the ball away so it is a clear yellow card, it changes the momentum of the game."

How did the game between Arsenal and Brighton pan out?

Arsenal, reduced to ten players, has lost their perfect record but is still undefeated in the league. They led at the interval thanks to Kai Havertz, but an hour later Joao Pedro levelled the score.

Both sides had late opportunities to steal the victory. Although Brighton's record acquisition Georginio Rutter missed a late headed opportunity and Havertz was stopped by a superb save from Bart Verbruggen, the 1-1 draw left both teams with seven points from their potential nine.