Brighton delivered a surprise blow to Arsenal’s Premier League campaign, securing a 3-0 victory that tainted the Gunners’ 125th anniversary celebrations. This defeat ended Arsenal’s flawless start to the season after they had won their first seven matches across all competitions.
The opener came from Pascal Gross, who capitalized on Brighton’s relentless pressure near the Arsenal penalty area. Gross received a well-timed pass from Charalampos Kostoulas before placing the ball into the corner of the net. Brighton doubled their lead just before half-time when Kostoulas, demonstrating impressive skill, scored with a powerful shot from outside the box.
After the break, Brighton maintained their dominance and extended the lead to 3-0. Chema Andrés scored the third goal with a precise header following a corner delivered by Gross. Arsenal’s defense struggled to respond, conceding three goals in a match for the first time since December 2023, and failed to create consistent scoring opportunities.
The victory propelled Brighton to third place in the Premier League standings, just two points shy of Arsenal. Meanwhile, the loss marked the end of Arsenal’s unbeaten streak as they head into the international break. This pause provides Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta an opportunity to reassess his team’s performance before resuming league action.