Arsenal drop their first points of the season after draw with Brighton

Arsenal dropped points following a 1-1 draw at home to Brighton after Declan Rice was shown the first red card of his career.

Rice was given his marching orders in the 49th minute by referee Chris Kavanagh after a subtly kick away of the ball from a Brighton free-kick resulted in a second yellow for the England international.

The Gunners, who signed Raheem Sterling on a season-long loan during a dramatic transfer deadline day, were ahead by this point through a Kai Havertz lob in the 38th minute.

Brighton took control following Rice’s red card and levelled through Joao Pedro with 58 minutes played, but despite further chances they failed to find a winner in north London.

If Friday night was all about Sterling, Saturday morning was dominated by tickets going on sale for Manchester City-supporting Oasis, but the band’s allegiances failed to stop their music being blared out at the Emirates before kick-off.

Sterling was restricted to a watching front and saw new club team-mate Bukaya Saka begin in menacing fashion.

Saka raced past Brighton left-back Jack Hinshelwood inside two minutes before he was thwarted by Bart Verbruggen from a tight angle and won a free kick from his teenage rival soon after.

Another dangerous Saka dribble ended with Ben White having a shot deflected wide by the arm of Lewis Dunk, which was deemed to be in a natural position.

Brighton lost veteran James Milner to injury after 17 minutes but eventually started to get a foothold on proceedings.

Kaoru Mitoma volleyed wide from a good position on the left but with 38 minutes on the clock they were punished for a mistake by captain Dunk.

Dunk was too hesitant in the air following Gabriel’s clearance and was remarkably nudged off the ball by Saka, who