Brighton 3-0 Arsenal: Mikel Arteta's side lose for first time this season as impressive hosts thrash defending champions
Report and free match highlights as Brighton thumped Arsenal 3-0 in a scoreline that flattered the Gunners; Pascal Gross and Charalampos Kostoulas put Brighton 2-0 up at half-time, Chema Andres made it three nine minutes after the break; Arsenal suffer first dropped points of season
Saturday 19 September 2026 17:54, UK
Arsenal's winning start to the season came to a brutal end as brilliant Brighton secured a stunning 3-0 victory - and even that scoreline flattered Mikel Arteta's side.
The Gunners were chasing an eighth straight victory to start their season - and their best start to any campaign in 123 years - but were given a lesson in commitment and quality from the first minute from Fabian Hurzeler's team.
As Brighton pressed Arsenal into submission, long-range strikes from Pascal Gross and Charalampos Kostoulas put the Seagulls 2-0 up at half-time. Both Brighton players could not believe their luck at how much space they had.
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The second strike from Kostoulas was a real sucker punch as it came 15 seconds after Bukayo Saka saw a close-range effort for an equaliser well-saved by Bart Verbruggen. It also showed how Arsenal took 44 minutes to have a meaningful chance.
And it got even better for Brighton nine minutes after half-time. Chema Andres got his first Brighton goal as he headed in Gross' corner at the far post, amid poor Arsenal marking.
Brighton could have added to their lead as Arsenal could not get out of their own half to fashion anything. Pascal Struijk nearly got a fourth but headed wide from a corner that David Raya came and failed to get. Then Matt O'Riley saw a one-on-one saved by Raya before Malick Yalcouye hit the woodwork at the rebound.
The result sees brilliant Brighton move up to third in the table, two points behind Arsenal. Meanwhile, Manchester City can go into the lengthy international break three points clear at the top of the Premier League with a win over Sunderland on Super Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
The key moments from the south coast
6: BIG SAVE! Arsenal are under the cosh straight away as Kostoulas' deflected shot is tipped behind by Raya.
30: GOAL! Brighton deservedly lead as Gross curls in a stunning effort from distance off Raya's near post.
39: CHANCE! Brighton continue their dominance as Yasin Ayari blasts into the side-netting after being teed up by Ferdi Kadioglu.
44: BIG ARSENAL CHANCE! Arsenal break in huge numbers and Martin Odegaard's effort is deflected into Saka's path, but his close-range effort is saved by Verbruggen.
45: GOAL! Fifteen seconds later, Brighton double their lead as Kostoulas' long-range drive finds the bottom corner.
52: RED CARD? On a booking, Kadioglu goes down under Riccardo Calafiori's challenge in the box, but is not booked a second time for simulation. No dive is given.
56: GOAL! Arsenal's task becomes even greater as Andres nods home from Gross' corner.
68: SO CLOSE! As Arsenal struggle to get out, Brighton nearly get a fourth as Raya fails to come for a corner and Struijk heads wide.
77: GOOD SAVE! Kai Havertz breaks clear for a huge chance on goal but Verbruggen makes the save.
80: WIDE! Substitute Georginio Rutter fires wide at the far post after a shot is played into his path.
89: BIG SAVE AND BAR! How have Brighton not added another? O'Riley runs through on goal but Raya saves, then Yalcouye strikes the bar from a tight angle at the rebound.
Arteta: We didn't respect the game
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta:
"A very disappointing result and performance. Full credit to Brighton in the manner they performed and went about the game. They were another gear from us in the basics of the game. They were always first in the first duel, in the second actions, second balls, and they started to play from there.
"And on top of that, when we had the ball, especially in our own half, we were extremely poor technically, not respecting the game and the game principles you have to apply against a team that want to press you man to man.
"That never gives you the option to dominate and control the game in the manner you want. And then when we had big chances, we didn't put them away.
"We have to make sure we learn the lesson because this can't happen again."
Hurzeler: We were horrible to play against
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler to Sky Sports:
"Beating the current champions and the best team in England is something special. But it's not because the result is special, it's the performance. The boys showed real togetherness and intensity.
"They were horrible to play against today and that's because we did the basic things right. Overall I was very pleased with the performance.
"I think we deserved to win. It's a moment the players and the staff can enjoy because they worked hard for this but it's also important why we had this success today, because we did the basics right and we were brilliant in the duels."
Don't forget, Brighton were excellent!
Paul Merson on Soccer Saturday:
"Arsenal struggled badly. Brighton really closed them down and went after them. They wouldn't let them play out and they won the ball back consistently. They broke the press probably twice all day, Arsenal.
"The first goal put more air in Brighton's lungs and they just kept going and going. They thoroughly deserved it.
"We've got to give credit where credit's due. Arsenal weren't great but Brighton made them not look great. They were outstanding.
"You thought Arsenal would come out second half and have a go, they didn't. Chema and Kostoulas were outstanding. Kostoulas caused Konsa and Gabriel nightmares."
