Without Havertz only a draw
Arsenal make a mistake in the title race – will Liverpool pull away?
January 4, 2025 – 8:33 p.mReading time: 1 min.
Arsenal FC actually wanted to move closer to leaders Liverpool in the table. Now the “Gunners” are in danger of losing touch.
Arsenal FC made a mistake on matchday 20 of the English Premier League and failed to put pressure on leaders Liverpool at the top of the table. In their guest appearance in Brighton, the Londoners couldn’t get more than a 1-1 (0-1) draw. Arsenal remain second in the table, but instead of a possible three points, the gap to the “Reds” is now five points. Liverpool also has two games in hand and will face arch-rivals Manchester United on Sunday (from 5:30 p.m. in the live ticker on t-online).
In a tough first half, Arsenal made the first statement. Ethan Nwaneri scored the opening goal for the guests after just over a quarter of an hour (16th minute), who again had to do without German international Kai Havertz, who was ill. Former Dortmund player Mikel Merino set up the goal. It was the second goal of the season for 17-year-old Nwaneri.
Brighton only had one opportunity in the first half through Adingra, who missed under pressure (34′). The half-time speech from former St. Pauli coach Fabian Hürzeler obviously had an effect. A foul by Arsenal defender William Saliba on Joao Pedro resulted in a penalty for the Seagulls. The fouled man stepped forward and sank the ball ice-cold (61′).
As a result, Brighton was suddenly the better team and worked to turn the game around. But the winning goal wouldn’t come. Hardly anything came from Arsenal. The draw was therefore okay.