(Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal dropped points for the first time this season as Declan Rice was sent off during a dramatic match against Brighton.

After getting one goal and an assist against Wolves in the opening game, Kai Havertz took his goal tally up to two, helping his side take the lead in the first half.

Arsenal were down to ten men shortly into the second half as Rice was shown a second yellow. This means he will miss the North London Derby in two weeks which is a massive loss for the Gunners.

The momentum completely shifted and Joao Pedro picked up where he left off against Manchester United, scoring in back-to-back games.

Fabian Hurzeler will be over the moon with how his team has played so far thrashing Everton, beating Manchester United and drawing to Arsenal away. However, his team will be frustrated they could not find the winner in the end.

  • Story of the game

The home side were without both their new signings as Mikel Merino and Raheem Sterling watched on from the stands. The Spanish midfielder picked up a shoulder injury in training and it was too soon to be introduced for the former Chelsea winger.

Bukayo Saka was causing lots of issues for the Brighton defence early on in the game. Jack Hinshelwood looked uncomfortable dealing with the winger as he got in behind multiple times. The young defender was playing left-back, unusual for the natural right-back.

Veteran James Milner went down with what looked to be a muscular injury only 15 minutes into the game, and forced an early substitution for Hurzeler. Yasin Abbas Ayari was the man to replace him. 

A beautiful switch ball from Ben White set up Leandro Trossard to play a perfect cross into the box that found skipper Martin Odegaard, but his volley was aimed right at Bart Verbruggen from not far out.

Havertz continued his great form by putting Arsenal ahead not long before half-time. Lewis Dunk was beaten too easily in the air by Saka, who was able to play it through for the number 29 to run onto. The German saw the keeper rush off his line and lifted the ball with his first touch over the Brighton keeper.

Five minutes into the second half, Declan Rice was shown a second yellow card after knocking the ball away to stop Brighton taking a quick free-kick. A costly decision from the midfielder which made the match a lot harder for his side with 40 minutes to play and only a one-goal lead.

The red card completely changed the script of the game and Brighton did not hold back.

Joao Pedro equalised 10 minutes later as he was quickest to the rebound. Yankuba's shot was saved by Raya but the keeper could only deflect it and the Brazilian tucked it away.

New signing Riccardo Calafiori replaced Trossard to give Arsenal a bit more defensive cover as they switched to a 5-3-2 formation.

An unbelievable save from the Brighton keeper stopped Havertz as he was through one-on-one again with a counterattack. It looked certain that the striker was going to put Arsenal ahead once again, but Verbruggen made himself as big as possible and stopped him.

Ayari saw a rebound come to him with Raya already having dived. The youngster had the whole goal to aim at from the edge of the box, yet fired it straight at the Spaniard.

It was end to end football and Arsenal had another big counter attack. A low cross was played across the box to a charging Saka. The Englishman had to stretch though and it limited how much control he had on the placement, making it easier for the Dutch keeper this time around.

Matters got worse for the home side as Jurrien Timber walked off the pitch in some discomfort. It looked to be his right knee that was causing the issue and Mikel Arteta will be praying it is nothing too serious.

Manchester City will be eager to beat West Ham later tonight and pull away from title rivals — flashbacks to that Fulham game last season for Arsenal fans.

The Brazilian striker was Brighton's saviour once again. After getting a later winner against Man United last week to claim all three points, it was him again to score and help The Seagulls take a point from the game.

Pedro was fouled three times during the game, proving that he was a tough task to handle and was in the right place at the right time for his goal.