Arsenal’s perfect start to the season came to an abrupt end at Brighton on Saturday as the Seagulls recorded a brilliant 3-0 victory.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta was left deeply disappointed after Pascal Groß, Charalampos Kostoulas and Chema Andrés put his defending champions to the sword at the American Express Stadium.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, meanwhile, said the result was good for the Premier League and should give teams greater belief against the division’s best side.
Arteta disappointed by performance
After the match, Arteta told Sky Sports: “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.
“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.”
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Carragher praises Brighton result
Reflecting on the result, Carragher stated on Sky Sports: “In some ways – and I know Arsenal fans won’t want to hear this – it’s probably good for the league.
“I think most people see Arsenal as the best team and the best squad. So, it’s probably good for the league that most people look at that [result] and think, ‘OK, you can score goals against them.’
“I think Arsenal will be fine; I think it’s more about what it does to the other team. I think everyone just raises the belief, thinking if Brighton can do it, why can’t we do it?
“What’ll hurt Mikel Arteta is the fact that it’s the game before the international break. He’ll be so desperate to have his players on that training pitch, have a team meeting, go through the game.
“But he’ll have to wait three weeks for that now, and maybe by that time his anger might have subsided, because I’m sure he’ll be furious.
“We can’t expect the best teams to perform every single week. It was a real bad one for them, but how consistent has Arsenal been for so long, I’m sure they’ll get back on track.”
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