Arteta faults Arsenal’s level in Brighton defeat

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, centre, looks dejected after the defeat to Brighton. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta conceded that Brighton and Hove Albion was the better side in his side’s 3-0 humbling at the Amex Stadium on Saturday.

Arsenal’s perfect start to its title defence came to an end as it dropped to second place in the table behind Manchester City on goal difference, while Brighton moved to third with 10 points after five outings.

This was the Gunners’ heaviest defeat in all competitions ‌since ⁠a 3-0 home loss to Brighton in May 2023.

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Brighton went in with a 2-0 half-time lead after superb strikes from distance from Pascal Gross and Charalampos Kostoulas. New signing Chema Andres headed ​home a corner to add ‌a third goal in the second period.

“They deserved to win the game, they were the better team, especially in the early stages of the first half. We were not competing on the level that is required,” Arteta ‌said. “We did technical errors in the wrong areas and lost ​our duels.

“But I have to put into perspective what the team has done since the World Cup. I think ⁠it has been exceptional. We will learn from this experience and go again.”

Brighton’s success was built on pressing Arsenal into submission and giving the away side ‌little time on the ball, denying it control of the game.

Goal-scorer Andres hailed his side’s ‘perfect performance’ against the champion.

“The team was amazing, ⁠the intensity was what we needed to win against this amazing team.

“It was my first Premier League goal and an important ‌moment in the match for us to go 3-0 up. You cannot say it is game over against players of the ​quality of Arsenal, but the team kept pushing for the win,” said the Spaniard.