'Wow': Darren Bent stunned by 'incredible' fact he learned about Arsenal's Kai Havertz today

Arsenal dropped points for the first time in the Premier League this season following a contentious draw against Brighton in Saturday’s early kick-off.

The Gunners went down to ten men early in the second half as Declan Rice was controversially shown a second yellow card for ‘delaying a restart’.

Arsenal had taken the lead in the 38th minute thanks to a superb Kai Havertz goal from outside the box.

Brighton centre-half Lewis Dunk allowed the ball to bounce from a punt up top, and Bukayo Saka split the defence with a ball which Havertz ran on to.

The Germany international, clean through on goal, chipped the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper to put the Gunners in the lead.

Then came the Rice sending-off on 49 minutes, and nine minutes later, Brighton were level as Joao Pedro fired home on the rebound from a saved Yankuba Minteh strike.

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Darren Bent hails Arsenal forward Kai Havertz for composure and confidence

Despite the disappointing nature of the draw, there were positives for Arsenal, including Havertz’s display.

As well as scoring, he put in a tireless display, particularly after Rice’s dismissal, and continued to threaten the opposition goal.

Darren Bent spoke highly about Havertz on Premier League Productions, saying the 25-year-old has really benefited from Mikel Arteta’s trust in him.

The Arsenal-supporting pundit also expressed disbelief when he was told it was Havertz’s first goal from outside of the box in the Premier League.

“Wow! I mean, incredible,” said Bent. “He showed composure there because that’s one thing you have to say that he probably lacked when he first came back.

“I don’t know if he lacked it or it was confidence when he first got to Arsenal because of what had happened at Chelsea.

“But since he’s obviously understood and realised that he is one of Mikel Arteta’s main men and how much he trusts him, every single time he gets into positions because, great play from Saka, there are a number of options here, go round him, go through his legs, go over the top.

“It’s all confidence, but I think he has been really good this first half.”

What next for Arsenal?

The Brighton game was Arsenal’s last fixture before the international break.

The Gunners will next be in action on Sunday 15 September when they make the short trip to N17 to face north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.