Arsenal 1-1 Brighton: Player ratings as Gunners drop first points of the season

Arsenal dropped their first points of the campaign in a close-fought 1-1 home draw with Brighton & Hove Albion at the Emirates Stadium on August 31. The game saw the title hopefuls reduced to 10 men after Declan Rice obstructed Joel Veltman's free-kick early in the second half.

The hosts opened the scoring in the 38th minute through Kai Havertz and looked to be en route to a third consecutive win. Joao Pedro drew the Seagulls level in the 58th minute to see both sides end the game joint top of the table.

Arsenal Player Ratings:

David Raya - 8/10

The Spaniard was in fine form for the hosts today, making three saves and recovering possession 10 times for the hosts. He will feel hard done to have conceded a goal in the game after his performance.

Jurien Timber - 7/10

The Dutch defender continues his return to regular involvement for Arsenal after his long injury layoff and looked solid for the team while he was on the pitch. He made one block and recovered possession four times. He was subbed off in the 80th minute due to an injury.

William Saliba - 8.5/10

William Saliba put on a strong performance for Arsenal today. However, the Frenchman was partially at fault for Brighton's goal. Other than that, he had a fine performance for the hosts, completing 94% of his passes and winning his one aerial duel.

Gabriel - 8.5/10

The Brazilian looked stellar alongside his French counterpart today for Arsenal except for his mistake for the Seagulls' goal. He matched him in the percentage of passes completed and had the bonus of completing one dribble and bagging a 100% tackle completion stat.

Benjamin White - 8/10

Ben White was beyond impressive today. He won the most tackles in the match (3), was unbeatable in the air (1/1 duels won), and only lost points in this rating for misplacing five passes out of 21.

Thomas Partey - 8/10

The Ghanaian had a fine game for Arsenal today, completing one tackle and one dribble in the game. He misplaced six passes in the game but was outstanding besides that.

Declan Rice -7.5/10

Declan Rice was having a stellar game for the hosts before the referee made the decision to send him off early in the second half. He received a yellow card in the first half for a tackle on Joel Veltman before receiving a second yellow for delaying the restart from a free kick in the 49th minute.

The Englishman completed all 13 passes he attempted, the only player to do so. The Gunners undoubtedly missed him after he was sent off for an arguably soft second yellow.

Martin Odegaard - 6.5/10

Martin Odegaard had an uncharacteristically poor game today for the hosts. The Arsenal captain could not complete up to 50% of his passes, making 9 out of 19 attempts, and was dispossessed three times in the game.

Bukayo Saka - 9/10:

Bukayo Saka was electric for the hosts today. He played a vital role in the opening goal, with his pace and trickery key to his assist for Kai Havertz's opener. He also kept the Brighton & Hove Albion defense honest, drawing three saves from Bart Verbruggen.

Leandro Trossard - 7/10

Trossard put in a hardworking performance that did not yield the fruits it deserved. The Belgian drew a save from the opposition goalkeeper but completed only seven passes in the game from 26 touches.

Kai Havertz - 8.5/10

The German was clinical on the pitch today, playing with the economy of a well-written haiku. The Arsenal goal scorer had the fewest touches in the game (29). However, he completed 10 passes, tested the keeper twice, and recovered possession six times.

Arsenal Substitutes:

Riccardo Calafiori - 6/10

The Italian came off the bench in the 59th minute but was not decisive in any part of the game. He completed three passes and committed a foul.

Gabriel Martinelli - 6./10

The Brazillian forward was far from effective for the Gunners today. He too saw his contribution to the game capped by completing three passes and committing a foul.

Oleksandr Zinchenko - NA

The Ukrainian came on with 10 minutes left on the clock but did not have any effect on the game. He had three touches and misplaced two passes during his cameo.