Mikel Arteta admitted Arsenal could have no complaints as they suffered their heaviest Premier League defeat in over three years against brilliant Brighton, who continued their superb start to the season with a deserved 3-0 win against the defending champions.
Arteta’s side arrived on the south coast looking to equal an 123-year club record by winning their first eight matches of the new season but were handed a reality check as they suffered the first defeat of their title defence.
The visitors started slowly and were stunned by first-half goals from the in-form Pascal Gross and the teenage striker Charalampos Kostoulas. Brighton, who were celebrating their 125th anniversary, continued where they left off in the second half as Chema Andres rose to head in a corner before the hour-mark.
Arteta acknowledged that Arsenal had to learn a “big lesson” and said: “I think they deserved to win the game. It started by us not doing the basics right for long periods, especially a lot of the first half. That set the tone of the game. I’m very disappointed.”
Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton, who were the last side to beat Arsenal in the Premier League by three goals, in May 2023, have scored the most goals in the Premier League this season and on Wednesday knocked Manchester United out of the Carabao Cup.
Hurzeler praised a “special day” for Brighton and said: “Not only because we played the best team in England but because of the performance. I am really proud of my team. It's always important to enjoy these moments. We were horrible to play against.”
Follow the latest reaction from the Amex Stadium, below
Brighton v Arsenal LIVE
- FULL TIME! Brighton thump Arsenal 3-0 to hand Premier League champions reality check
- 56' GOAL! Andres has free header from corner to increase lead (BRI 3-0 ARS)
- 44' GOAL! Kostoulas strikes on counter-attack to double lead (BRI 2-0 ARS)
- 30' GOAL! Arsenal back off as Pascal Gross fires Brighton in front (BRI 1-0 ARS)
Brighton's Fabian Hurzeler: 'It's a special win - we were horrible to play against'
18:50 , Jamie Braidwood
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler speaking to Match of the Day after a “special win” for his team:
“Not only because we played the best team in England but because of the performance. I am really proud of my team. It's always important to enjoy these moments. We were horrible to play against.
"Intensity, intensity, winning the personal duels. We have to have the belief to compete with the best teams in the league. My players really trust each other on the pitch. If one player is out then another can replace him.
"Overall we wanted to be really good in every phase. We needed to be at the highest level. We go game by game. After the international break we have a lot of games. After wins like this we have to stay humble and understand why we had this win. We have to keep on going."
Mikel Arteta: 'It's a big lesson for us to learn'
18:25 , Jamie Braidwood
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live after the 3-0 defeat ot Brighton:
"Two things: one give credit to them. In the manner that they played and committed to every single action. We were below the standards that are required for us but in the Premier League as well.
"When you miss chances like we did it becomes impossible. I want to congratulate Brighton for what they've done. It's a big lesson for us to learn. If I have to describe how the team has played and competed in the last six or seven weeks, has been expectational but today has been a big lesson.
“I think we were very far from our level. The international break means we have more time to swallow because it's very, very painful. In any game you can get highly exposed if don't do what you need to do.”
Declan Rice avoids red card for wild kick on Brighton’s Malick Yalcouye in Arsenal defeat
17:50 , Jamie Braidwood
Declan Rice avoided a red card for kicking out at Brighton’s Malick Yalcouye in the final seconds of his team’s heavy 3-0 defeat in the Premier League.
The England midfielder lashed out after being closed down by Yalcouye, swiping at his opponent’s legs after he had passed the ball towards the wing.
Yalcouye fell to the turf and appealed towards referee Darren England, who saw the incident and gave Rice a yellow card.
But Rice could consider himself lucky that he escaped further punishment after incidents involving Manchester City’s Phil Foden and Aston Villa’s Joao Gomes this season.
Foden was sent off for kicking out at Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes last weekend, while Gomes received red following a VAR review for kicking Brighton’s Georginio Rutter.
Both of those incidents saw the offender kick up while lying with their back on the ground, while Rice’s kick came while he and Yalcouye were both running.
Yalcouye, a second-half substitute for Brighton, appeared to lean into Rice after the midfielder had passed the ball, leading to his trip on Yalcouye.
With Brighton leading 3-0 at the Amex, the match clock had ticked past the 96th minute when Rice lashed out after six minutes had been added on.
It is unclear whether the VAR checked the incident before referee England blew for full-time.
Mikel Arteta responds to Arsenal defeat to Brighton
17:27 , Jamie Braidwood
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live after the 3-0 defeat ot Brighton:
“No complaints, because I think they deserve to win the game. It started by us not doing the basics right for long periods, especially a lot of the first half. That set the tone of the game.
“We didn't win enough duels and that stretches you and gives you no option to dominate the game or the territory.
“On top of that when you regain that ball we were extremely poor, with the technical errors that we made and especially with the principles that we didn't apply against a team that wants to press you man to man, so that puts us constantly under pressure and we didn't get out of that in the way that we normally do.
“So a lot of things to learn, obviously, and to take and I'm very disappointed.”
Who saw this coming? A day to forget for Arsenal
17:05 , Jamie Braidwood
Arsenal had started the season with seven consecutive victories but they were battered and beaten from the first minute by Brighton today.
Where did it come from? The Premier League’s best defence was ruthlessly torn to pieces while there was no fight in midfield and no spark in attack.
It will be a long three weeks for Mikel Arteta. He won’t have the chance to get the taste of this defeat out of his mouth until Arsenal host Leeds on Saturday 10 October.
Brilliant Brighton flying high in the Premier League
17:01 , Jamie Braidwood
A memorable day for Brighton as they celebrate their 125th anniversary by thrashing the champions at home. What a week, too, after knocking Manchester United out of the Carabao Cup in midweek from two goals down. The only regret from Fabian Hurzeler’s side is their performance deserved four or five goals, but they will settle for three.
Up to third in the Premier League, they have scored 16 goals in their first five games, double the amount of Arsenal’s eight and six clear of the next-best side, which is Chelsea.
FULL TIME! Brighton 3-0 Arsenal
16:54 , Jamie Braidwood
That is that. What a performance from Fabian Hurzeler’s team, superb. They’re heading third in the Premier League after beating the champions by three goals.
What about Arsenal? They were off the pace from the very start today. A first defeat of the season and they can have no complaints.
In fact, it’s their heaviest Premier League defeat since Brighton won 3-0 at the Emirates in May 2023. Remarkable.
Brighton 3-0 Arsenal
16:52 , Jamie Braidwood
90 mins: Into stoppage time. A blip from Arsenal or a reality check? It will be fascinating to hear what Mikel Arteta says next.
Brighton 3-0 Arsenal
16:49 , Jamie Braidwood
89 mins: Another Brighton chance! Superb football between Rutter and O’Riley but Raya is there to make the save. Yalcouye follows it on but hits the bottom of the post.
It seriously could have been 4-0.
Brighton 3-0 Arsenal
16:46 , Jamie Braidwood
87 mins: Almost four! De Cuyper’s cross flies in and finds Matt O’Reilly at the back post. It hits the midfielder in the face and lands into the hands of Raya.
Brighton 3-0 Arsenal
16:43 , Jamie Braidwood
84 mins: That sums it up for Arsenal. Calafiori’s cross is fired across the box but there’s no one there. The away end is emptying as Arsenal fans head for an early train back to London.
Brighton 3-0 Arsenal
16:39 , Jamie Braidwood
80 mins: I can’t remember the last time Arsenal struggled so much from defending corners. The cross falls to Georginio Rutter and he takes a crack, but it drops just over the bar.
Dowman is on for Saka.
Brighton 3-0 Arsenal
16:37 , Jamie Braidwood
78 mins: Chance for Arsenal. Havertz plays in Gyokeres but Verbruggen makes himself big to deny the striker.
Max Dowman is going to be coming on for Arsenal following his two-goal display against Ipswich in midweek.
Brighton 3-0 Arsenal
16:35 , Jamie Braidwood
75 mins: Better from Saka as he wriggles past Boscagli but De Cuyper comes across to make the block. Brighton then clear the corner.
Brighton 3-0 Arsenal
16:31 , Jamie Braidwood
71 mins: Arsenal have not lost a match by three goals since May 2023. That team? Brighton.
Changes for Brighton: Odegaard and Tzolis are replaced by Gyokeres and Eze. Odegaard hands the armband to Saka.
Brighton 3-0 Arsenal
16:27 , Jamie Braidwood
66 mins: This could get even worse for Arsenal. They are offering nothing in attack while Brighton continue to threaten at the other end. Pascal Struijk gets his head onto a corner at the near post but it drops side. David Raya was nowhere near it.
Brighton 3-0 Arsenal
16:26 , Jamie Braidwood
65 mins: Brighton are on course to beat the reigning champions at home for the third successive season. It was Manchester City in 2024-25, Liverpool in 2025-26, and now it’s Arsenal in 2026-27.
Fabian Hurzeler has overseen all three.
Brighton 3-0 Arsenal
16:21 , Jamie Braidwood
60 mins: Two changes from Arsenal: Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi are on for Timber and Guimaraes.
Brighton 3-0 Arsenal
16:19 , Jamie Braidwood
57 mins: Arsenal had played themselves into trouble in conceding the corner, then failed to defend it miserably. It was a free header for Chema Andres.
Then, Brighton think they’ve got a shout for a penalty as Kostoulas goes down, but it’s waved away.
“Are you Tottenham in disguise?” sing the Brighton fans.
GOAL! Brighton 3-0 Arsenal (ANDRES 56')
16:15 , Jamie Braidwood
INCREDIBLE! And it’s a first Premier League goal for Chema Andres!
Brighton strike form the corner as the midfielder meets the deliver from Pascal Gross.
Brighton are in dreamland.
Brighton 2-0 Arsenal
16:13 , Jamie Braidwood
52 mins: Appeals for a penalty as Kadioglu goes down under the challenge of Calafiori, but he was looking for it.
Saka wins a corner down the right but Brighton clear the inswinging delivery from the England international.
Brighton 2-0 Arsenal
16:10 , Jamie Braidwood
49 mins: Now it’s Tzolis’ turn to be wasteful from out wide. The winger’s cross goes straight through.
A chance for Brighton! The hosts stride forward but Kostoulas drags his shot wide after a threatening break.
Brighton 2-0 Arsenal
16:07 , Jamie Braidwood
47 mins: Arsenal’s first corner of the game is taken by Saka but sails straight through and goes behind for a goalkick.
Brighton 2-0 Arsenal
16:04 , Jamie Braidwood
We’re back underway. No changes yet.
HALF TIME! Brighton 2-0 Arsenal
16:02 , Jamie Braidwood
How do Arsenal respond? Mikel Arteta will surely look to his bench but among his options it’s the 16-year-old Max Dowman who looks his most promising option. Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke are hardly in form. Or could Arteta turn to Mikel Merino for an impact? Kai Havertz has been quiet so far while it’s not been a great first outing from the start for the pairing of Declan Rice and Bruno Guimaraes.
Arsenal haven’t won a Premier League game from two-goals down at half-time since 2008.
HALF TIME! Brighton 2-0 Arsenal
15:54 , Jamie Braidwood
Both goals Arsenal conceded were from outside the box, with Mikel Arteta’s defence guilty of backing off and leaving too much space for Pascal Gross and Charalampos Kostoulas to strike at David Raya’s goal.
But take nothing away from Brighton. They pressed and harried Arsenal from the start. They are up to 15 goals scored in the Premier League this season and we’re only halfway through their fifth game.
HALF TIME! Brighton 2-0 Arsenal
15:48 , Jamie Braidwood
Check out that scoreline.
Brighton are celebrating their 125th birthday in some style.
A big half-time team talk coming up for Mikel Arteta.
GOAL! Brighton 2-0 Arsenal (KOSTOULAS 44')
15:45 , Jamie Braidwood
WOW! Brighton double their lead and Arsenal’s winning start to the season is in danger now!
It’s the 19-year-old striker Kostoulas who rifles a stunning shot past Raya. The champions are in trouble!
Incredible. Arsenal actually had a chance at the other end, with Saka’s shot saved by Verbruggen following the breakaway.
Instead, Brighton broke at Arsenal. The Arsenal defence backed off Kostoulas but the Greek produced a brilliant finish.
Brighton 1-0 Arsenal
15:43 , Jamie Braidwood
40 mins: More jeers for Raya as he takes his time from the restart, even through Arsenal are trailing by a goal. Rice’s cross is blocked by Ayari as it’s Brighton’s turn to defend, but they are doing a fine job of that so far.
Brighton 1-0 Arsenal
15:40 , Jamie Braidwood
39 mins: CHANCE! Brighton could be 2-0 up! A promising attack sees Kadioglu cut the ball back to Ayari, but the Sweden international smashes a shot from a tight angle into the side netting. He had options in the middle.
Brighton 1-0 Arsenal
15:39 , Jamie Braidwood
37 mins: Arsenal find themselves behind for just the second time this season, after Morgan Rogers’ early goal for Chelsea at the Emirates. They came from behind to win that one, but Brighton are in a fine run of form.
Brighton 1-0 Arsenal
15:36 , Jamie Braidwood
34 mins: Now a sight of goal for Kostoulas, in the same area just outside the box where Gross rifled Brighton into the lead. But the Greek shoots over.
Brighton 1-0 Arsenal
15:35 , Jamie Braidwood
33 mins: The 35-year-old is in supreme form right now. Lovely football from Brighton but Konsa and Gabriel had to get out and close him down. Super finish, though.
GOAL! Brighton 1-0 Arsenal (GROSS 30')
15:31 , Jamie Braidwood
IT’S HIM AGAIN! BRIGHTON LEAD!
What a season this man is having! Arsenal backed off and they were punished. The German international places an unstoppable shot into the bottom corner, beating David Raya. Four goals from Gross in his last five games.
Brighton 0-0 Arsenal
15:30 , Jamie Braidwood
28 mins: Brighton came into the weekend with the Premier League’s best attack but they’ve not threatened since the early shot from Kostoulas that forced Raya into action.
Brighton 0-0 Arsenal
15:27 , Jamie Braidwood
26 mins: Almost an Arsenal counter-attack but Vuskovic reads the danger superbly and cuts out the threat just as Tzolis looked to be breaking through.
Brighton 0-0 Arsenal
15:25 , Jamie Braidwood
23 mins: Arsenal are starting to show more threat now with Tzolis and Saka more involved and Calafiori and Timber popping up in attacking positions.
Saka goes down in the box after Tzolis got through but the referee quickly waves away the appeals. Nothing in it.
Brighton 0-0 Arsenal
15:22 , Jamie Braidwood
17 mins: Better from Arsenal. Timber finds Saka and the winger looks for the back post. Calafiori arrives but Kadioglu blocks his header and Brighton are able to clear.
Brighton 0-0 Arsenal
15:19 , Jamie Braidwood
16 mins: It’s been a fascinating start and full credit to Brighton for taking such an aggressive approach against Arsenal. Raya’s pass over the top breaks to Saka and the winger looks to drive into the box, but his cross is blocked. From the corner, Guimaraes puts his shot into the side-netting.
Brighton 0-0 Arsenal
15:16 , Jamie Braidwood
14 mins: A few jeers and whistles from the Brighton fans as David Raya takes his time over a goal-kick. That takes us back to March and the argument between Hurzeler and Arteta. Raya has not started well. He gives the ball away again and Rice has to track back to make the challenge.
Brighton 0-0 Arsenal
15:13 , Jamie Braidwood
13 mins: Arsenal have steadied over the last five minutes or so and have got a foothold in the game, although with no attacking threat yet.
Brighton 0-0 Arsenal
15:11 , Jamie Braidwood
8 mins: Can Brighton capitalise on this superb start? Arsenal are up against it and Brighton are pressing them furiously.
David Raya knew that effort from Kostoulas was close.
Brighton 0-0 Arsenal
15:07 , Jamie Braidwood
6 mins: SAVE from Raya! Kostoulas gets his shot away and the Arsenal goalkeeper has to push behind a corner with his fingertips. Arsenal were guilty of giving it away cheaply.
Brighton 0-0 Arsenal
15:05 , Jamie Braidwood
4 mins: A sloppy start from Arsenal. The Premier League champions are struggling to get out and a clearance from Raya goes straight out of play.
Brighton 0-0 Arsenal
15:03 , Jamie Braidwood
2 mins: A half-clearance from Calafiori falls to Kadioglu, who thrashes over. Decent start from the hosts.
KICK-OFF: Brighton 0-0 Arsenal
15:00 , Jamie Braidwood
We’re underway at the Amex.
Brighton v Arsenal
14:59 , Jamie Braidwood
Brighton are wearing a special all-blue home kit to commemorate the club’s 125th anniversary today. Can they make it a special afternoon?
Arsenal open to Max Dowman loan after teenager’s impressive start to season
14:55 , Jamie Braidwood
Arsenal are “open” to allowing teen sensation Max Dowman to leave the club on loan, if the circumstances are right.
The 16-year-old is back in the spotlight this week after he marked his first appearance of the season with a brace in Arsenal’s 4-2 Carabao Cup win at Ipswich.
Mikel Arteta is keen to protect the youngster and wants him to continue to be involved in a squad which is probably the strongest in the Premier League.
However, the Spaniard accepted in his news conference on Friday that the Gunners will evaluate “every six months” the possibility of Dowman leaving on loan.
Dowman is on the bench this afternoon, with kick-off at the Amex coming up next.
Brighton v Arsenal: Last game before the international break
14:53 , Jamie Braidwood
Defeat today would give both teams plenty to think about over the extended international break, which will now last three weeks. Arsenal are not back in action until Saturday 10 October, at home to Leeds, while Brighton travel to Sunderland that afternoon.
Brighton's recent record against Premier League champions
14:30 , Jamie Braidwood
Brighton have recovered victories against two reigning Premier League champions in Liverpool and Manchester City over the last couple of seasons. Can they make it three in a row against Arsenal this afternoon?
Brighton, though, are winless in their last six Premier League home games against Arsenal having won two and drawn one of their first three. On what is the club’s 125th anniversary, what a day it would be for Brighton to notch another home win against Arsenal.
Arsenal out to equal 123-year record at Brighton
14:15 , Jamie Braidwood
Should Arsenal win today, they would equal an 123-year club record for their best start to a campaign with eight consecutive victories.
Mikel Arteta’s side have won four Premier League matches so far, as well as games in the Carabao Cup, Champions League and Community Shield.
It comes after a World Cup, too, and follows a physically and emotionally draining campaign where the Gunners won the league and reached the Champions League final.
"We know how complicated it is to win a football match at this level," Arteta said. "So, to win seven, it tells a story.
"After the World Cup, there were a lot of unknowns about how the players and the team were going to react. We didn’t have any time with them to work together.
"But I said from day one, the attitude and what I was seeing, I was really impressed with. Then you have to put it down to performances. We had a bit of luck as well, for sure, to win four matches. But we are here.”
Mikel Arteta insists Fabian Hurzeler feud is over after Brighton boss slammed Arsenal’s tactics
14:00 , Philip Duncan
Mikel Arteta has insisted any tension with Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler is now behind him on the eve of their Premier League clash.
Hurzeler criticised Arteta after their previous meeting – a 1-0 win for Arsenal in March – stating "only one team tried to play football" and accused the Gunners of "making their own rules".
Speaking ahead of their fixture at the Amex Stadium on Saturday, the Arsenal manager said: "That’s all done. That’s all in the past.
"I have huge respect for Fabian, and what he’s done and what Brighton has done as a club. It’s just remarkable, and tomorrow is going to be a beautiful game to watch, I’m sure."
Arsenal team news and confirmed line-up
13:46 , Jamie Braidwood
Arsenal are boosted by the return of Jurrien Timber, who makes his first start of the season in place of the injured Ben White. Bruno Guimaraes also starts alongside Declan Rice, in place of Myles Lewis-Skelly, in the second change from last weekend’s win at Sunderland. Max Dowman is on the bench after his two-goal display against Ipswich, as is Piero Hincapie.
Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Guimaraes, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Tzolis
Subs: Kepa, Hincapie, Eze, Gyokeres, Madueke, Merino, Zubimendi, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman
🔴 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 ⚪️
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 19, 2026
Your Gunners. Ready to go 👊
🤝 Presented by @Deel
Brighton team news and confirmed line-up
13:46 , Jamie Braidwood
Pascal Struijk starts ahead of Lewis Dunk in the Brighton defence while midfielder Chema Andres makes his first Premier League start. Malick Yalcouye drops to the bench from last week’s big 5-0 win over Coventry, with Diego Gomez moving to the right and Pascal Gross perhaps pushing into No 10.
Brighton XI: Verbruggen; Kadioglu, Struijk, Vuskovic, Boscagli; Chema, Ayari; Gomez, Gross, De Cuyper; Kostoulas
Subs: Steele, Hadjam, Rutter, Promise, Osman, Costinha, Svoboda, O'Riley, Yalcouye
TEAM NEWS! 🚨 Our 125 match starting XI... 👊 pic.twitter.com/kKt3TKWBtu
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@BHAFC) September 19, 2026
Brighton v Arsenal: Meeting of two in-form sides
13:40 , Jamie Braidwood
Brighton have started the season on fire and have scored more goals than any other side in the Premier League this season. But today they face an Arsenal side who have won nine consecutive matches in the Premier League, including five from the end of last season, and have only conceded one goal in the league this season.
Brighton will also be buzzing after knocking Manchester United out of the Carabao Cup from two goals down on Wednesday.
Team news is coming up next.
What is the Arsenal team news?
13:32 , Jamie Braidwood
Uncertainty remains over Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera, Jurrien Timber and Piero Hincapie. Thomas Tuchel hinted that White would have been in his England squad had it not been for injury, which means Mikel Arteta might need to get creative at right back if Timber and Mosquera are unavailable. Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Riccardo Calafiori and Christos Tzolis should return to the line-up after Arteta rotated in midweek.
Possible line-up: Raya; Timber, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori; Guimaraes, Rice; Saka, Odegaard, Tzolis; Havertz
What is the Brighton team news?
13:31 , Jamie Braidwood
Fresh from their brilliant Carabao Cup comeback against Manchester United in midweek, Brighton are expected to rotate back to their Premier League line-up this afternoon. That means Bart Verbruggen, Ferdi Kadioglu, Lewis Dunk, Yasin Ayari, Diego Gomez and Maxim De Cuyper should return form the start. Georginio Rutter is back from injury but teenage Charalampos Kostoulas could keep his place up front.
Possible line-up: Verbruggen; Kadioglu, Dunk, Vuskovic, Boscagli; Gross, Ayari; Gomez, Yalcouye, De Cuyper; Kostoulas
Good afternoon and welcome
13:30 , Jamie Braidwood
Good afternoon. What a clash we have to look forward to on the south coast, quite an unexpected one too! If the Premier League had known that Brighton were going to start the season in such good form, then I’m not sure this game against the champions would have ended up scheduled for 3pm on a Saturday.
