Skip to main content
Arsenal drop their first points of the season after Brighton draw
Arsenal's Bukayo Saka reacts after missing a chance during the Premier League match at Ashburton Grove, London, August 31, 2024

Arsenal 1–1 Brighton
by Layth Yousif
at Ashburton Grove 

 

CONTROVERSY reigned in North London on Saturday lunchtime when referee Chris Kavanagh sent off Declan Rice shortly after half time.

The £105m England international saw red for the first time, in his 245th Premier League appearance, after being handed a ludicrously soft second yellow card for “blocking the restart” following a tangle with Joel Veltman.

The 24-year-old former West Ham midfielder also received a violent kick for his troubles, yet culprit Veltman was only handed a yellow. Home fan ire was amplified when Kavanagh ignored Joao Pedro booting the ball away in the first half in similar circumstances. 

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
Men’s football / 2 May 2025
2 May 2025

In the shadow of Heathrow and glow of Thorpe Park, a band of Arsenal loyalists have built something lasting — a grassroots club with old-school values, writes LAYTH YOUSIF

Arsenal's Leandro Trossard (left) and Paris Saint Germain's Achraf Hakimi battle for the ball during the UEFA Champions League semi final, first leg match at the Emirates Stadium, London. Picture date: Tuesday April 29, 2025
Men’s football / 30 April 2025
30 April 2025
Arsenal goal
Men's Football / 25 April 2025
25 April 2025

A point apiece at the Emirates with both Arsenal and Palace looking distracted by forthcoming semi-finals 

Bukayo Saka celebrates scoring against Real Madrid, April 16
Men's Football / 17 April 2025
17 April 2025
Similar stories
Brighton and Hove Albion's Joao Pedro scores their side's fi
Men’s football / 5 January 2025
5 January 2025
A general view of the action as the sun shines through a gap
Men’s Football / 6 October 2024
6 October 2024
Arsenal's Gabriel scores their side's second goal of the gam
Men's Football / 23 September 2024
23 September 2024
Arsenal's William Saliba celebrates scoring
Men’s football / 14 August 2024
14 August 2024