Arsenal vs Brighton & Hove Albion LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction

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.

More on that Rice dismissal... In what is his 245th Premier League appearance, the midfielder was sent off for the first time in the competition.

Arsenal are under pressure now and Timber has to block two efforts from the Seagulls. That pressure subsides after a weak Hinshelwood effort that Raya can fall on. This allows his team to regroup.

Yellow 2nd/RC Declan Rice

The corner on the left comes to nothing, as it's deep and eventually headed over by Gabriel.

Arsenal are moving with great early confidence here. The flicks and tricks are out. Timber chases the ball on the left byline and backheels it to Havertz. His left-sided shot is blocked by Hinchelwood, who looks happy it's deflected over!

Arsenal get us back in action at the Emirates.

Brighton have looked intriguing at times, as they manage Arsenal's press and try and combat it with their own. They have operated at an xG of 0.08 though. On the other hand, Arsenal have worked up to an xG of 0.98, and it would be reasonable to suggest that despite the xG to goals ratio, the Gunners could've been leading by more. With efforts from Trossard and Odegaard (especially, early on), the North London outfit can't be complacent and need an insurance goal. Hurzeler's side will be out for the second half in determined fashion and must be better. Arsenal have won each of the last 23 Premier League home matches they've led at half-time, since a 1-2 loss against Man City on New Year's Day 2022.

Arsenal lead Brighton at the break, courtesy of a fine Kai Havertz goal just before the interval. It's one that Lewis Dunk won't want to watch back. He was out-muscled by the wily Bukayo Saka, who then played the German through smartly to produce a delicate chip over Bart Verbruggen. It was Havertz's second goal of the season, 34th in the Premier League, but strangely - his first league goal from outside the box. Initially, Saka-powered industry in the opening exchanges, smothered Brighton. However, with the offensive prowess of Joao Pedro and Jankuba Minteh, the visitors have carved out half chances - most notably drawing a low David Raya save from the latter's downward header. Arsenal showed great enterprise of their own, yet before the goal, hardly made Verbruggen's afternoon that difficult, as the simple option was often ignored. Still, the hosts' record of scoring in the first half continues - they have failed to score just once in the first half across their last 11 outings at the Emirates Stadium.

HALF-TIME: ARSENAL 1-0 BRIGHTON