Rice was dismissed early in the second half after getting a second yellow card for stopping Joel Veltman from taking a quick free kick.
The ejection left Arsenal with only ten players, allowing Brighton to gain the upper hand and equalize shortly after Kai Havertz had given the Gunners the lead with a goal in the first half. Joao Pedro scored the equalizer for Brighton by capitalizing on a rebound.
Arteta’s frustration arose from what he saw as inconsistent officiating by Kavanagh. He contended that Pedro should have been sent off earlier in the match for a similar infraction when he kicked the ball away during the first half. Post-match, Arteta expressed his displeasure, stating: “I was astonished. Astonished, astonished, astonished at how inconsistent the decisions can be. In the first half, there are two incidents and nothing is done. Then, in a non-critical situation, the ball hits Declan on the back of his leg; he turns around, doesn’t see the player coming, and touches the ball. According to the rules, he can make that call, but by the same rules, he should then issue a red card, leading to a 10 vs. 10 scenario. That’s what astonished me. At this level, it’s remarkable.”
Although Arteta’s frustration was understandable given the situation, it was clear his mood was affected by the loss of two crucial points in a match Arsenal was expected to win.
Even with one player less, Arsenal still created better opportunities, but Bukayo Saka, despite his strong performance, couldn’t get past Brighton’s goalkeeper, Bart Verbruggen, who had an exceptional game.
Rice’s red card means he will miss Arsenal’s next match, a key north London derby against Tottenham.
This situation is worsened by the fact that Arsenal will also be missing new signing Mikel Merino due to injury.
Addressing the challenge of playing such a significant fixture without two key midfielders, Arteta noted, “Well, this is what happens. We have to adjust to the situation. That’s why we have other players who can step into that role, and it gives me an opportunity to give someone else a chance.”
Arteta’s remarks highlight his dissatisfaction with the referee’s decisions and his resolve to adapt to the changing circumstances facing his team.
