Arsenal have a tough test coming up against Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League.
The two sides have already faced each other once this season. It was in the Carabao Cup, and the Gunners won the fixture 2-0.
The league clash will be completely different, and Brighton will come into the game with some confidence after causing Arsenal to drop points in both games last season.
Mikel Arteta was furious after one of those fixtures against Fabian Hurzeler’s side.
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Mikel Arteta says he was so angry after Arsenal vs Brighton last season
Arsenal’s home game against Brighton in the 2024/25 season was a controversial one.
The Gunners took the lead through Kai Havertz in the first half, and they looked very comfortable. They were on track to score one or two more goals and win the game without too much trouble.
However, just a few minutes after half-time, referee Chris Kavanagh got himself involved.
The ball was dead after a foul near the touchline, and Declan Rice decided to tap it. At the same time, Brighton’s Joel Veltman tried to kick the ball, and he caught the Arsenal midfielder instead.
Instead of cautioning the Seagulls star, Kavanagh decided to send Rice off in what was one of the worst refereeing decisions we have ever seen.
In his press conference ahead of the game against Brighton, Arteta was reminded of that incident, and he claimed that he was so angry.
“I remember very well,” Arteta said sarcastically, as relayed on HaytersTV.
“I was very p—-d off,” Arteta said. “Very p—-d off in the manner that we played with 10 men. Hopefully, it is going to be very different next time.”
When asked about the bizarre red cards last season, he said: “I think the rules are different now. We paid a big price with that rule. Hopefully, that stays away, and we continue to play with 11 players.”
Is Declan Rice’s red card during Arsenal vs Brighton the worst refereeing decision you have ever seen? If not, which is?
Refereeing decisions cost Arsenal the Premier League title
Arsenal finished the 2024/25 season 10 points behind the champions Liverpool.
Injuries played a massive part in the Gunners’ campaign, and many feel that is the reason why they didn’t win the Premier League title.
However, Arteta’s side were on the receiving end of a few terrible refereeing decisions as well.
Arsenal dropped 10 points when Rice, Leandro Trossard, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and William Saliba received red cards against Brighton (1-1 draw), Manchester City (2-2 draw), West Ham (1-0 defeat), and Bournemouth (2-0 defeat) respectively.
All of those red cards were controversial, and you could make an argument that none of those players deserved to be sent off in those instances.
Those 10 points were the difference in the end.
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