Arsenal tasted their first loss of the campaign after Brighton delivered a stunning performance at the Amex Stadium, netting three goals against the reigning champions.
Riding high after victories against Coventry City and Manchester United, the home side began the contest with real purpose. The visitors found it difficult to cope with Brighton’s energetic approach, and Pascal Gross broke the deadlock in the 31st minute, curling a strike from outside the penalty area that deflected in off the upright.
Arsenal, unbeaten in nine consecutive league fixtures and seven straight across all tournaments this term, never found their rhythm and appeared unusually anxious in possession. Their clearest opening arrived through a swift counter attack right before the interval, though Bukayo Saka failed to capitalise when the ball dropped to him inside the box following a deflected attempt from Martin Odegaard.
Moments later, Brighton doubled their advantage when Charalampos Kostoulas was afforded plenty of room to spin and beat David Raya from distance. Manager Mikel Arteta made no substitutions during the break despite seeking a reaction, but his team could not respond as Chema Andres nodded home a third just twelve minutes into the second period, converting a Gross delivery from a corner.
This marked an eleventh goal in seven days for the Seagulls, following five against Coventry and a dramatic 3-2 turnaround win at Old Trafford in the Carabao Cup. New signing Pascal Struijk, making his top flight debut for the club after joining from Leeds, nearly grabbed a fourth but headed narrowly wide.
Kai Havertz squandered a late chance when clean through, firing straight at goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, while Raya denied Matt O’Riley at the other end.
The result leaves Arsenal second, separated only by goal difference from Manchester City, who face Sunderland this weekend. Brighton climb to third, now just two points off top spot.
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