Arsenal’s perfect start to the 2026-27 Premier League season ended emphatically as Brighton & Hove Albion produced a commanding 3-0 victory at the Amex Stadium, ending the champions’ seven-match winning run in all competitions and their nine-match league unbeaten streak dating back to April.

Pascal Gross opened the scoring in the 31st minute with a precise long-range effort that clipped the inside of David Raya’s post before crossing the line. Charalampos Kostoulas doubled Brighton’s advantage on the stroke of half-time, finishing low after Raya saved Bukayo Saka’s close-range effort moments earlier. Chema Andrés completed the rout in the 57th minute, heading home from a corner on his full home debut.

The defeat carried heavy statistical significance for Arsenal. They went into the break 2-0 down and have not recovered to win a Premier League match after trailing by two goals at half-time since a 2-0 loss at Bolton in March 2008. It was also their first defeat by three or more goals in any competition since losing 3-0 to Brighton themselves in May 2023, ending a run of 182 competitive matches without a loss by that margin.

Mikel Arteta described the result as a “big lesson” for his squad, acknowledging that Arsenal failed to cope with Brighton’s intensity and tactical discipline. The Gunners struggled to play out under pressure, were repeatedly bypassed in midfield and offered little in attack beyond isolated moments from Saka and Martin Ødegaard.

Brighton’s victory lifted them to third in the Premier League table, underscoring their impressive start under Fabian Hürzeler. For Arsenal, the loss dropped them to second on goal difference behind Manchester City, who could move three points clear if they beat Sunderland later on Sunday. The result immediately intensified scrutiny on Arteta’s side and their ability to sustain a title challenge after such a dominant opening to the campaign.