Arsenal 1-1 Brighton

The referee decided the game ultimately and already, the high hopes aroused by the arrival of Raheem Sterling on loan from Chelsea, are on the wane.

It's a shame that Sterling's transfer did not go through in time for him to be eligible to play in this fixture as it was all hands to the pumps, once Arsenal went down to ten men.

The question is: did Rice deserve his second yellow card. In a way, yes, as it was stupid to kick the ball away, but he was on the receiving end of a lot of pushing and shoving, just before half time. My theory is Rice was at boiling point before the second half kicked off. Perhaps he thought he could get away with kicking the ball away, as it was only a gentle touch. Nevertheless, he shouldn't have done it.

However, how could the referee turn a blind eye to Veltman kicking Rice, just before the patter's dismissal? No wonder the crowd were shouting: 'the referee's a _____'. He totally was! A biased one too, who deemed Brighton's fouls as accidental presumably. It's a good job no one was maimed. 

In reality, Arsenal could have lost that game, so perhaps it was a point won. Havertz went close again, forcing a good save from the keeper, after Brighton had equalised through Joao Pedro, who kicked the ball away in the first half and went unpunished.

To make matters worse, Timber got injured. He walked off the pitch, so Arsenal fans can only hope that it's not serious.

Rice won't be available now for the next game against Spurs. Questions have to be asked about Manchester-born Chris Kavanagh: who does he support? Surely referees should be asked that question should be asked.

As well as Rice, Merino, another new signing, is already crocked and out, thanks to an accidental shoulder injury sustained in training. 

Suddenly, with Nketiah and Reiss Nelson gone to , it seems like the squad is thin. 

The international break is next followed by games against Spurs and Man City away. These games couldn't be tougher and now Arsenal need a couple of miracles back to back. 

The only reason for optimism is Havertz being on the same wavelength as Saka and both being in form. This team, and it is a team in the real sense of the word, will have to regroup and prove they're made of sterner stuff...or should it be Sterling stuff!

Arsenal 1-0 Brighton (half time)

It's not been the most inspiring of fare on offer at the Emirates so far, but Arsenal have edged ahead, thanks to Saka battling Dunk for the ball and knocking it to Havertz, who lobbed the keeper. The German is on a good run, but he didn't look a likely scorer, given the resilience and GBH tactics employed by the Brighton defence.

Saka was clumped accidentally or deliberately, depending on your viewpoint, by Hinshelwood, who was getting turned inside out by the Arsenal right winger. Odegaard was on the receiving end of a more X-rated challenge, which was career-threatening. No yellow card!

However, it was Rice who ended up in the book for a lunge. It was nowhere near as dangerous as the challenge on Odegaard, so the officials need to take a good look at themselves in the mirror and come out for the second half less biased. 

Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal

The Gunners certainly wanted this game. It was quite a physical encounter, but it was the introduction of Trossard that swung the match Arsenal's way.

Just prior to that, Raya had made a world-class save to deny Watkins' point-blank header from a rebound off the bar.

Raya was the better of the two keepers and the Arsenal fans let Martinez know, as well as Emery, who was constantly reminded of the score.

Worryingly, though, Trossard didn't celebrate his goal and looked like the incredible 'Sulk'. Maybe he'll start the next game.

The cream on the cake was Partey's powerful sidefooted goal that Martinez could not keep out.

Saka, of course, was the provider for both goalscorers.

Arsenal have now overcome one of their bogey teams so perhaps it could be the title this time around.

Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal (half time)

The first 45 minutes looked every inch a bore draw. 

Start-stop nature, it was, with fouls galore and apart from Saka's shot on target, Arsenal offered little in terms of a goal threat. Martinez pulled off a world-class save.

Ollie Watkins, meanwhile, will be ruing his missed opportunity in front of goal. To miss the target with the goal at his mercy was most uncharacteristic.

The game was hardly riveting, but was notable for Timber's first start of the season.

Arsenal 2-0 Wolves

Well, it wasn't quite the 4-0 blitz that lots of people predicted, included ex-Spurs Berbatov, who said through gritted teeth that the Gunners will win the title. 

However, was this title-winning form? In a way, yes, as a win is a win, plus another clean sheet from 'Golden Gloves 23-24' Raya gives the impression of impregnability even if Arsenal's defence was run ragged at times. Even Saliba was guilty of a stray pass, so that in itself tells you that Arsenal were not on top form.

Generally, though, Arsenal looked incisive, going forward, especially when Havertz nodded home Saka's cross. At that point, it did look like it could turn into a romp. With 25 minutes, both players were racking up the FPL points and I was feeling a bit of a mug for not picking them in my teams! 'Too expensive,' is what I thought and Havertz is now considered a striker now, apparently, when we all know full well he'll be dropped back into midfield at some point in the season. Or do we? Talk about leading from the front! This was a proper centre forward's performance. Who needs Haaland, when we've got Havertz?

He even survived a mauling from Yerson Mosquera, making his debut in the Premier League. I think the Colombian will accumulate cards this season, but he's quick, aggressive and all-round decent player, ready to rough up opponents. Havertz didn't react much, despite getting hit in the neck by 'Mascara' Mosquera. This was a masterclass from the German, given the circumstances.

The game was eventually put to bed by the Saka-Havertz axis, although this time it worked in reverse order with the England man, who has been compared to Lional Messi by Mikel Arteta, on the score sheet.

Overall, it was business as usual for Arsenal while rumours of Mikel Merino's signing got ever stronger. I'm not sure how the Spain international will get in the team, as the first XI looks strong.

I still think Arsenal need a 'rough-house' centre forward like Ivan Toney, but on this match's evidence, the Gunners already have it In Havertz.

It's also concerning that Arsenal have offloaded Smith-Rowe, but now all we can do is wish him the best at Fulham.

Other likely exits include Trossard, who looked like a sulky schoolboy when he came on and Ramsdale, who won't be content to gather splinters on the bench for much longer. Of course, Nketiah and Nelson have already been linked with moves away, so those deals could happen before the end of the transfer window.

Jesus came on and got involved, which augurs well for his future, and the other substitute, Timber, shone at times and looked rusty occasionally, when he gave the ball away needlessly in a dangerous situation.

Calafiori didn't get a chance to make his official home debut, but much is expected of him, while home-grown Ethan Nwanieri is the name on the fans' lips, despite not making it on the pitch.

All in all, it could be a good season ahead. I think Arteta will focus on the league and who knows, he might actually pip Pep this time!

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