Held To A Draw With Brighton, Arsenal's Laju Slows To Liverpool's Pursuit
JAKARTA - Arsenal have failed to maximize their chances of cutting the gap with strong Liverpool at the top of the Premier League standings this season. They could only draw 1-1 against Brighton in Week 20 of the Premier League at the Amex Stadium, Brighton, Sunday 5 January.
Arsenal, who are now in second place, have 40 points from 20 matches, five points from Liverpool in first place who have only played 18 matches, according to Premier League records.
From ANTARA's report, a draw made Brighton move up to 10th in the Premier League standings with 28 points from 20 matches, eight points adrift of the top four.
In this match, Arsenal actually took the lead through Ethan Nwaneri, but Brighton was able to equalize through Joao Pedro.
Statistically, Arsenal excels in possession by recording 56 percent, but Brighton creates more opportunities with 11 kicks which four of them are on target.
Arsenal immediately demonstrated an attacking game in this match and had created an opportunity through Gabriel Jesus' shot which was still blocked by Brighton goalkeeper Bert Verbruggen.
Arsenal scored first in the match through individual Ethan Nwaneri's action so that the score changed to 1-0 in the 16th minute.
Left behind by one goal made Brighton continue to try to equalize, but their efforts did not come to fruition until the first half was over.
Entering the second half, Brighton had a golden opportunity to equalize after being awarded a penalty for Joao Pedro being fouled in the box by William Saliba.
Joao Pedro, who came forward as the executioner, successfully carried out his duties well after his shot was unpredictable by David Raya so that the score returned to 1-1 in the 61st minute.
In the remaining time, both teams tried to score a winning goal, but until the long whistle sounded, the score 1-1 for both teams remained.
Furthermore, in the 21st week of the Premier League, Arsenal is scheduled to play a hot party against Tottenham, Thursday, January 16, while Brighton travel to Ipswich Town headquarters.