'WE DIDN'T DO THE SIMPLE THINGS WELL'

Arteta slams soft Brighton penalty but admits ailing side not up to mark in 1-1 draw

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said he had never seen anything like Brighton & Hove Albion's controversial penalty to earn a 1-1 draw on Jan 4 that dealt another seismic blow to the Gunners' Premier League title challenge.

Shorn of many of their most potent attacking weapons, Arteta's men led at half-time at the Amex Stadium thanks to 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri's strike.

But two vital points slipped away when William Saliba was harshly punished for a clash of heads with Joao Pedro and the Brazilian slotted home the resulting spot kick.

Runaway leaders Liverpool held a five-point advantage over second-placed Arsenal before their Jan 5 clash against struggling Manchester United at Anfield - the result of which was unavailable at press time.

After that fixture, Liverpool would still have a game in hand.

"We are really disappointed with the decision that leads to the goal because I have never seen something like this in my life," said Arteta. "He (Saliba) touches the ball as well."