Brighton stuns Arsenal 3-0 for champions' first loss

Brighton handed Arsenal their first defeat of the season with a commanding 3-0 victory at the Amex Stadium on Saturday. The result ends Arsenal's seven-match winning start across all competitions and drops the defending champions to second place on goal difference behind Manchester City, who host Sunderland on Sunday.

Pascal Gross opened the scoring in the 31st minute with a shot from the edge of the box that deflected off the post past David Raya. Charalampos Kostoulas doubled the lead just before half-time after being given space to turn and fire from distance.

“We were very far from doing the basics that I expected, with uncertainty in defence, a loss of midfield control and lack of attacking creativity.”

Chema Andres headed in Brighton's third from a Gross corner 12 minutes into the second half. Arsenal's best chance fell to Bukayo Saka just before the break, but he failed to convert after Martin Odegaard's deflected effort fell to him in the area.

The defeat is Arsenal's heaviest in any competition since April 2023. Manager Mikel Arteta acknowledged his side were "very far" from the basics required and called the result a "big lesson" heading into the international break.

Brighton, managed by 33-year-old Fabian Hurzeler, have now won three of their last four matches and sit third with 10 points. The Seagulls' intensity disrupted Arsenal's build-up play throughout, with the visitors losing duels they typically win.