Brighton End Arsenal’s Perfect Start With 3-0 Premier League Win
Arsenal’s unbeaten opening to the season ended emphatically at Brighton, where the Premier League champions were beaten 3-0 after a performance Mikel Arteta described as well below the required standard.
Pascal Gross, Charalampos Kostoulas and Chema Andres scored for Brighton on the south coast, ending Arsenal’s run of seven victories in seven matches in all competitions. The result drops Arsenal to second place and gives Manchester City the opportunity to open a three-point lead at the summit when Sunderland visit on Sunday, September 20.
Brighton’s win also extended an unusual home record against English champions. They have now beaten the reigning Premier League title-holders at the Amex in each of the past three seasons, following victories over Manchester City in 2024-25 and Liverpool in 2025-26.
Arteta criticises Arsenal’s basics
Arteta accepted that Brighton deserved the points, saying his side had been second best throughout the contest. He said he was “extremely disappointed” with Arsenal, while offering credit to the home team for a deserved victory.
The manager’s concern centred on the physical and technical fundamentals of Arsenal’s display. Brighton’s direct game repeatedly exposed the visitors, who struggled to win first contacts and collect loose balls after those duels.
“There are basic things you have to do in football, particularly in the Premier League, and we were nowhere near them,” Arteta said. He added that Brighton winning the initial challenge and the next ball made the match increasingly difficult for his team.
Arsenal began nervously, with David Raya’s distribution setting an uncertain early tone. Mistakes involving Riccardo Calafiori, Gabriel Magalhaes and Ezri Konsa then contributed to the three Brighton goals.
Arteta was equally frustrated by what happened after Arsenal recovered possession. He said his players made too many technical mistakes and failed to follow the principles needed to play through Brighton’s man-to-man pressure, leaving them under pressure and unable to establish control.
Brighton set the intensity
Arsenal had expected a demanding examination, but Arteta felt Brighton imposed their edge from the opening phase. He said his pre-match message had focused on surviving and winning that initial period, knowing it would be hard to dictate play otherwise.
Brighton, he said, showed greater sharpness and intensity than the visitors. Their performance ensured Arsenal’s first defeat of the campaign was a comprehensive one rather than a narrow setback.
The international break gives Arteta time to address the defensive errors and restore Arsenal’s domestic rhythm. Their next league fixture is at home to an in-form Leeds United on October 10.
