Brighton hold Arsenal to thrilling 1-1 draw
Brighton and Hove Albion ended Arsenal's winning start to the new Premier League season with a 1-1 draw at The Emirates on Saturday, with the home side holding on with 10 men after Declan Rice's second-half sending off.
Arsenal dominated the first half and deservedly lead at half time after Kai Havertz finished brilliantly in the 38th minute, having been played in expertly by Bukayo Saka.
Four minutes into the second half, however, Arsenal's task was made all the harder when Rice was sent off after picking up a second yellow card. Brazilian striker Joao Pedro fired Brighton level 12 minutes later.
Both sides missed golden chances to win the contest late on, but they each had to settle for a point that keeps Arsenal and Brighton unbeaten from their three games so far. After narrowly missing out on their first Premier League title since 2004 last season, Arsenal started the new term in perfect fashion. With champions Manchester City also coming into this weekend's fixtures with two wins from two at the start of the new season, Arsenal know any slip-up, even this early in the campaign, could be costly.
They appeared set to be course for a ninth successive league victory after a dominant first-half display. Skipper Martin Odegaard should have scored earlier in the opening period before Havertz lofted home his second of the campaign. Rice's second yellow for trying to stop Brighton taking a quick free kick, a decision that was met with consternation around the stands, turned the tide in the visitors' favour.
Since Boxing Day 2019 - Mikel Arteta's first game in charge of Arsenal - the Gunners have been shown 16 red cards in the Premier League, at least three more than any other side.
But it was Rice's first red in his 245th Premier League appearance. Following his last-gasp winner against Manchester United last weekend, Pedro reacted first after Yankuba Minteh's shot had been saved to pull Brighton level, and the game opened up thereafter. Saka could have snatched the win late on, while Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya had to be at his best on several occasions to keep Brighton from earning all three points, but both seemed content with a draw after an exhilarating tussle.
Ancelotti relaxed about Mbappe's slow start at Real Madrid
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said on Saturday he is happy with how new signing Kylian Mbappe is settling into life with the Spanish soccer giants and he has no concerns about his team's slow start to the LaLiga season. France captain Mbappe, who joined Real from Paris St Germain in June, scored in a 2-0 win over Europa League champions Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup final three weeks ago but has yet to find the net in three LaLiga games.
Playing in the centre forward spot as left winger Vinicius Jr's partner, Mbappe has missed several chances and struggled to link up with his new team mates in disappointing draws at Mallorca and Las Palmas and in a dour home win against Real Valladolid.
"(Mbappe) is playing very well even if he hasn't scored yet. His influence creates danger. Him settling in here is not a problem," Ancelotti told a press conference ahead of his side hosting Real Betis on Sunday. "For me (Vinicius and Mbappe) are teaming up well, the offensive work is being done very well. It hasn't been a problem because we've scored goals in every game.
After a season in which they won the LaLiga and Champions League double, Ancelotti said he thinks criticism for a slow start to the domestic season is only natural. The champions are currently fourth in the standings with five points, four behind leaders Barcelona who started the season with three consecutive wins.