Reporter sat behind Mikel Arteta reveals the two Arsenal players he ‘exploded’ at during Brighton draw

Arsenal dropped points in the Premier League title race and Mikel Arteta 'exploded' at two Gunners players in moments during the club's 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion.

Arsenal travelled to the AMEX Stadium to take on the Seagulls and took the lead in the first half through teenager Ethan Nwaneri.

The Gunners were on course to pick up three points but the hosts levelled through Joao Pedro from the penalty spot after William Saliba made contact with the Seagulls man's head as he attempted to clear the ball away.

Following the spoils being shared, Arsenal trail Premier League leaders Liverpool by five points with Arne Slot's side currently having two games in hand.

Liverpool can extend their lead over the North London outfit to eight points should they beat Manchester United at Anfield this afternoon.

The penalty decision by referee Anthony Taylor against Arsenal drew the ire of the Gunners boss, who felt it was not a spot kick.

Arteta said: "Very disappointed with the way he has given the penalty.

"I have never seen [anything like] it in my life.

"Saliba touches the ball so..."

He added: "I’ve never seen a decision like this in my career, I asked the boys if they have, and no one has seen this before.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta. (Image: Getty)

"When you look at the incident, the player, Joao touching the ball then Saliba touching the ball, you can see contact there?"

Two players who started the clash on the South Coast were midfielder Thomas Partey, who started the game deployed at right-back, and Gabriel Jesus operated in the central striking role.

But both players came under scrutiny from Gunners boss Arteta during the encounter after letting their standards slip after half-time.

Football reporter Ryan Taylor, who works for the Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror, was sat behind Arteta at the game and described how the Arsenal boss took aim at Partey and Jesus for misplaced passes and not pressing respectively.

Taking to social media, he wrote: "Sat behind Mikel Arteta & he was absolutely furious throughout entirety of the second half.

"Exploded at Thomas Partey for selling Gabriel Martinelli short & at Gabriel Jesus for failing to press. Arsenal's standards slipped second half, Brighton (subs helped) wanted it more."

Arsenal return to action on Tuesday evening when they host Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium in a Carabao Cup semi-final.