If Arsenal are serious about winning the title this season then Mikel Arteta may want to rethink his plans for the January transfer market. This was another two points dropped in the race to keep up with pacesetters Liverpool as a contentious penalty from João Pedro cancelled out Ethan Nwaneri’s second Premier League goal. But it could have been even worse had Fabian Hürzeler’s side taken their chances.

Despite extending their unbeaten run in all competitions to 12 matches, Arsenal have become too reliant on their prowess from set pieces and were hanging on at the end in the face of concerted Brighton pressure. Arteta – who was livid with referee Anthony Taylor for awarding the penalty when William Saliba clashed heads with João Pedro as he attempted to clear the ball away – has so far insisted he is happy with squad at his disposal yet he surely needs reinforcements in attack given the extended absence of talisman Bukayo Saka and other obstacles that are rapidly presenting themselves.