'The fact is': Ian Wright delivers honest verdict on Arsenal's draw away at Brighton tonight
01/04/2025 03:45 PM
Arsenal have lost further ground in the Premier League title race after being held to a 1-1 draw away at Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday evening.
The Gunners took the lead on 16 minutes through Ethan Nwaneri, who cut inside and curled an effort through Bart Verbruggen after good work from Mikel Merino.
However, Brighton were given the chance to equalise against Arsenal from the spot after being awarded a controversial penalty on the hour.
Joao Pedro flicked the ball up in the box and William Saliba sought to head it away, but the Brighton man had nodded it away and there was a coming of heads.
Referee Anthony Taylor pointed to the spot, with VAR not intervening, and Pedro stepped up to send David Raya the wrong way.
Arsenal legend Ian Wright spoke to Premier League Productions after the game to give his verdict on the Gunners’ result.
Ian Wright happy Arsenal have not lost away from home
Wright appeared pleased with Arsenal picking up a point on the road, saying they “have to take it” and the “main thing” is it’s not an away defeat.
“The main thing is you’ve got to win your home games and make sure you don’t lose away from home,” said Wright.
“The fact is it’s a point on the road and you have to take it. You have to keep putting pressure on Liverpool, you can’t be losing in this situation.”
What other pundits said about Arsenal draw at Brighton
Jamie Redknapp told Sky Sports: “I said before the game there were still going to be twists and turns, but if Arsenal keep performing like this, there won’t be.
“They were poor tonight. Second half they had one shot on target.
“Draws are costing them. That was a really poor night for them. A lack of quality, a lack of guile.
“Arteta took off Nwaneri at half-time. I know he had been booked but he had scored, he was the outlet.
“I just felt, unless it was a set-piece, Arsenal weren’t good enough in the second half. Credit to Brighton.”
Meanwhile, former Arsenal and Brighton defender Matthew Upson told BBC Radio 5 Live: “Arsenal were very good in patches.
“But it felt like they needed to do a bit more to see this game through. It never happened in the second half.
“Arsenal needed to grind it out at 1-0. You get out the stadium on the bus home happy with your three points.
“They just couldn’t do it, but Brighton were better in the second half.”
Arsenal are next in action on Tuesday night when they host Newcastle United in their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.
