Premier League Half Time: Havertz Chips the Keeper, Odegaard Misses Opportunity, Arsenal Leads Brighton

Key Events In the 38th minute, Arsenal broke the deadlock! Saka won possession with relentless pressing in the front and delivered a brilliant through ball. Havertz ran onto it, facing Verbruggen one-on-one, and calmly chipped the ball into the net. Arsenal 1-0 Brighton. Match Report

On August 31st at 19:30, the third round of the 2024/25 Premier League season saw Arsenal host Brighton at home.

In the 8th minute, Odegaard lofted a pass from the edge of the penalty area, Saka met it with a first-time volley from a tight angle, but it was straight at Verbruggen who saved comfortably. In the 10th minute, Raya’s long pass found Saka on the right wing, who controlled the ball and crossed, looking for Havertz, but Verbruggen came out to claim it. In the 11th minute, White unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box that hit Dunk’s right arm and bounced out for a corner. The referee deemed it unintentional handball and did not award a penalty. In the 18th minute, Tymber’s cross from the left found Odegaard arriving late, but his shot was straight at Verbruggen who dealt with the danger. In the 28th minute, Pedro dribbled past Thomas on the left and delivered a fierce cross which was cleared by Saliba. In the 31st minute, Havertz’s incredible header turned into an own backpass, Mitoma’s left-footed shot from a tight angle within the penalty area narrowly missed the right post. In the 42nd minute, Rice tackled Vertman with a flying challenge during a midfield battle, causing strong protests from the Brighton players. The referee showed Rice a yellow card.

At half time, thanks to Havertz’s one-on-one goal, Arsenal leads Brighton 1-0 at home.

Player List

Arsenal Starting Lineup: 22-Raya; 4-White; 6-Gabriel; 12-Tymber; 2-Saliba; 5-Thomas; 8-Odegaard; 41-Rice; 19-Trossard; 29-Havertz; 7-Saka

Substitutes: 36-Hogan-Cotterford; 17-Zinchenko; 15-Kiwior; 33-Calafiori; 20-Jorginho; 56-Hand; 49-Lewis Scully; 53-Nwaneri; 11-Martinez

Brighton Starting Lineup: 1-Verbruggen; 5-Dunk; 34-Veltman; 29-van Hecke; 41-Shankland-Wood; 6-Milner; 9-Pedro; 22-Mitoma; 20-Balibar; 17-Mint; 18-Welbeck

Substitutes: 23-Steel; 4-Webster; 30-Estupinan; 3-Julio; 2-Lamptey; 10-Enciso; 26-Ayari; 14-Rutle; 24-Adingra