Arsenal’s perfect start to the Premier League season came to a stunning end on Saturday as Brighton & Hove Albion swept the defending champions aside with a 3-0 victory at the Amex Stadium.
Mikel Arteta’s side arrived on the south coast having won their opening four league matches and all seven of their competitive games this season. However, Brighton produced a dominant display to hand the Gunners their first defeat of the campaign.
Pascal Gross opened the scoring in the 31st minute, firing a powerful effort from the edge of the box to give the hosts the lead.
Brighton doubled their advantage shortly before half-time when Charalampos Kostoulas found the net with another long-range strike, leaving Arsenal facing a two-goal deficit at the break.
The Seagulls continued to put Arsenal under pressure after the restart and extended their lead in the 57th minute. Chema Andrés rose highest to head home Brighton’s third and put the result beyond doubt.
Arsenal struggled to mount a meaningful response as Brighton remained in control, creating the clearer chances and frustrating the visitors throughout the second half.
The defeat represents a major setback for the defending champions after their impressive start to the campaign. Arsenal had beaten Manchester United, Leeds United, Chelsea and Sunderland in their first four league matches, while also recording victories over Napoli in the Champions League and Ipswich Town in the League Cup.
For Brighton, the result extends an impressive run of form under Fabian Hürzeler. The Seagulls had thrashed Coventry City 5-0 in their previous Premier League outing before defeating Manchester United 3-2 in the League Cup.
The defeat also ends Arsenal’s winning run against Brighton at the Amex, following their 1-0 victory at the venue in March.
Arteta’s side will now have to regroup during the international break, with their unbeaten league record gone after five matches and Brighton emerging as the latest side to expose vulnerabilities in the champions’ title defence.
