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!