Bukayo Saka matches Thierry Henry by setting Arsenal record during 1-1 draw against Brighton
Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka matched a record held by club legend Thierry Henry by recording an assist in their draw against Brighton & Hove Albion. The Gunners saw their 100% start to the Premier League season brought to an end by the Seagulls in controversial fashion at the Emirates on August 31.
Saka became the first Arsenal player to assist in three successive league games to start the season since Thierry Henry.
Set to make another title push, Arsenal came into the game against Brighton in top shape, having won both of their first two games without conceding a goal. They beat Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa. The Gunners set out to claim a third successive league win of the 2024-25 season.
After 38 minutes of a cagey first half, Mikel Arteta's side found the breakthrough in front of their fans. Bukayo Saka inexplicably beat Lewis Dunk to a long ball before sending Kai Havertz through on goal with a slight flick. The German forward lifted the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper to give his side the lead.
Bukayo Saka had assisted Havertz to open the scoring on the opening weekend against Wolves and Thomas Partey last weekend against Aston Villa. By recording an assist against Brighton, he emulated Henry's record, which he set in the 2004-05 season.
Bukayo Saka ended the game as captain after a series of shuffles in the second half from Arteta. The manager needed to make adjustments, particularly after influential midfielder Declan Rice received a second yellow card in the 49th minute and was sent off. Saka, meanwhile, has now recorded three assists and a goal to start the 2024-25 season.
Declan Rice sees red as Arsenal and Bukayo Saka draw against Brighton
Declan Rice proved to be the major talking point as Arsenal dropped points for the first time this season in a 1-1 draw against Brighton. The English midfielder was given his marching orders after receiving a pair of bookings in the game.
Kai Havertz gave the Gunners the lead in the first half before Rice picked up a yellow card for a crunching tackle on Joel Veltman minutes later. Rice was shown a second yellow in the 49th minute for delaying the restart by flicking the ball away when the Seagulls had a free-kick.
Brighton eventually found a leveler just two minutes shy of the hour mark when Joao Pedro pounced on a rebound following a David Raya save. Both sides have now seen their 100% starts to the season come to an end after the result at the Emirates. They remain unbeaten after three games.