Arsenal's aspirations for the Premier League title took a hit as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Brighton at the Amex Stadium on Saturday. With Bukayo Saka sidelined with an injury, Mikel Arteta handed a rare start to 17-year-old academy product Ethan Nwaneri, who quickly made his presence felt by scoring for Arsenal just 16 minutes into the match.

Despite the early lead, Arsenal struggled to maintain control as the game progressed. Brighton's persistence paid off when a contentious penalty was awarded in the second half. After a head clash between Joao Pedro and William Saliba, the referee Anthony Taylor pointed to the penalty spot, allowing Pedro to level the score with a coolly taken penalty, securing a well-deserved point for the home side.

The match featured several standout performances and disappointing displays. Here’s a breakdown of how each player fared:

Brighton (4-2-3-1)

- **BART VERBRUGGEN (5.5)**: Failed to handle Nwaneri's initial shot well, allowing it to slip through.

- **JOEL VELTMAN (6.5)**: Was aggressive and disrupted Arsenal’s play effectively.

- **JAN PAUL VAN HECKE (6.5)**: Provided solid passing from the back, helping to build attacks.

- **IGOR JULIO (6.5)**: Maintained good positioning throughout the game.

- **PERVIS ESTUPINAN (6)**: Engaged well defensively but was slightly at fault for the Gunners' first goal.

- **CARLOS BALEBA (8)**: Dominated the midfield, posing problems for Jorginho and being pivotal to Brighton's presence in the center.

- **YASIN AYARI (6.5)**: Showed great stamina and contributed positively to ball progression.

- **BRAJAN GRUDA (6)**: Effective in breaking up Arsenal’s attacks.

- **MATT O’RILEY (6.5)**: Provided a crucial assist for Simon Adingra's near-miss.

- **SIMON ADINGRA (7)**: Frequently threatened Arsenal's defense with speed and skill, though he missed a golden chance to score.

- **JOAO PEDRO (6.5)**: Had a quiet match but showed composure in converting the penalty kick.

**Substitutes: All rated 6.5**

**Manager: FABIAN HURZELER (6.5)**

Arsenal (4-3-3)

- **DAVID RAYA (6.5)**: Had limited chances to showcase his skills but remained reliable after a tough challenge.

- **THOMAS PARTEY (6)**: Struggled against Adingra at times but made essential contributions in defense.

- **WILLIAM SALIBA (6)**: His passing helped stabilize the game early on, but he was involved in the penalty incident.

- **GABRIEL (6.5)**: Defensively solid alongside Saliba, successfully limiting Brighton's central threats.

- **RICCARDO CALAFIORI (6.5)**: Actively sought to contribute in attack but faced challenges against Brighton's defense.

- **DECLAN RICE (7.5)**: Showed great work rate, contributing both defensively and offensively; his set-piece deliveries could have yielded more.

- **JORGINHO (5.5)**: Had a lackluster performance with frequent turnovers in midfield.

- **MIKEL MERINO (6)**: Contributed but failed to capitalize on opportunities, needing improvement in critical moments.

- **ETHAN NWANERI (7)**: Impressed with an early goal but was inconsistent, leading to his substitution at halftime.

- **GABRIEL JESUS (6)**: Active but lacked clear-cut chances to impact the scoreboard.

- **LEANDRO TROSSARD (6.5)**: Showed hunger despite being booed by the home crowd, looking for opportunities to make an impact.

**Substitutes: All rated 6**

**Manager: MIKEL ARTETA (6)**

In summary, while Arsenal's youthful talent shone through with Nwaneri's goal, they failed to maintain control and suffer a setback in their title pursuit. With further challenges ahead, Arteta will need to assess his squad's depth and adaptability, especially in light of Saka's injury. The draw leaves Arsenal grappling with consistency, while Brighton showcases their resilience and determination to remain competitive in the league. Keep an eye on how both teams adjust in their upcoming fixtures!