Brighton 3-0 Arsenal
by Layth Yousif
at the Falmer Stadium

RAMPANT Brighton and Hove Albion stunned Arsenal to mark the club’s 125th anniversary in style, as Fabian Hurzeler’s impressive side outfought and outclassed the champions.

Speaking after the match, boss Hurzeler underlined the momentous day: “I want to say congratulations to this special club for the history,” he said, adding: “for everyone who has contributed in the past, for everyone who’s contributing in the present. 

“I think the history of this club is very impressive, and hopefully everyone can enjoy, who has been a part of our journey so far.”

Two long-range strikes from captain Pascal Gross and Charalampos Kostoulas — the 19-year-old Greek international’s third in successive matches — put the home side firmly in command before half-time. Prior to Chema Andres making it three on his debut after the interval, as their fully deserved victory amplified a memorable occasion for Brighton, the club that refused to die, while underlining a miserable day to forget for the humbled Gunners. 

The Seagulls’ victory made it 11 goals in a week after netting five at Coventry before their thrilling 3-2 comeback win in midweek to beat Manchester United at Old Trafford to reach the fourth round of the League Cup.

Hurzeler added: “The performance was really good from the beginning because we did the easy things right. We won our personal duels. We won the first tackle. We won the first throw and the first corner. We were really intense when Arsenal tried to play and we tried to stop their fluidity. 

“Besides that, we had a good balance between controlling the game in possession and having good defensive stability.

“So I have to give a lot of praise to my players, especially after this tough week with a lot of travelling. 

“To show this performance shows a lot of character. 

“They should enjoy today.”

Arsenal were simply no match for their opponents, losing 3-0 for the first time since the same opponents triumphed 3-0 in North London back in May 2023.

David Raya had a game to forget, not least when his consistently errant distribution in a desperately poor opening set the tone for a miserable afternoon.

After such a bright start to the campaign Arsenal were uncharacteristically weak in defence, insipid and ineffectual in attack. Skipper Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz offered little, while new summer signings Christos Tzolis and Bruno Guimaraes were anonymous. 

Substitutes including World Cup winners Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi, along with the relentlessly underwhelming Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze, were unable to influence proceedings. It was also instructive that new centre-back Ezri Konsa was bullied by the effervescent Brighton forward line. 

Resplendent in their one-off “Fisherman’s Blue” kit, in recognition of their 1901 seaside origins, in front of a stadium record 31,944, Brighton could have scored more, when Malick Yalcouye struck the post late on, after Matt O’Riley went close.

As the clock ticked down, Declan Rice was fortunate to remain on the pitch after bringing down Yalcouye but the midfielder only received a yellow card from referee Darren England.

Speaking after the match, a shell-shocked Arteta reflected, saying: “We need to give credit to Brighton, the manner they played, the way they competed. 

“Overall they deserved to win the game.

“A lot was down to us, certain standards and basic things we didn’t do at all. That put us on the back foot right from the beginning.”

He added: “We need to feel the pain.”