PL: Brighton thrash Arsenal 3-0, end Gunners’ winning run

Brighton produced a commanding performance to defeat Arsenal 3-0 at the Amex Stadium, handing the Gunners their first defeat of the season and ending their impressive winning run.

The Seagulls carried their confidence into the encounter after victories over Coventry City and Manchester United, putting Arsenal under pressure from the opening stages.

Brighton’s intensity unsettled the visitors, with Pascal Gross opening the scoring in the 31st minute. The midfielder’s effort from the edge of the penalty area took a touch off the post before finding the net.

Arsenal, who had won their previous nine league matches and all seven of their games across competitions at the start of the campaign, struggled to find their rhythm and looked unusually nervous in possession.

The Gunners came close to equalising shortly before half-time when Martin Odegaard’s deflected effort fell to Bukayo Saka inside the area, but the forward failed to convert the opportunity.

Brighton punished the miss almost immediately. Charalampos Kostoulas was afforded space on the edge of the box and made no mistake, turning before firing past David Raya to double the hosts’ lead.

Mikel Arteta made no changes at the break as he sought a response from his side, but Arsenal’s struggles continued after the restart.

Gross delivered a corner 12 minutes into the second half, and Chema Andres rose to head home Brighton’s third goal, putting the result beyond the visitors.

The victory extended Brighton’s impressive scoring run, with the Seagulls having now netted 11 goals in a week following their five-goal display against Coventry and a 3-2 comeback win over Manchester United in the Carabao Cup.

Pascal Struijk, making his first Premier League start for Brighton since arriving from Leeds during the summer, nearly added a fourth from another corner but headed wide under pressure.

Arsenal had a late opportunity to reduce the deficit when Kai Havertz broke through on goal, but his effort was directed straight at Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.

At the other end, Matt O’Riley was denied by Raya as Brighton continued to threaten.

The defeat left Arsenal second in the Premier League table on goal difference, having played one match more than Manchester City, who were scheduled to host Sunderland on Sunday.

Brighton, meanwhile, climbed to third place, two points behind the league leaders, after securing a memorable victory over the Gunners.

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