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LONDON: Arsenal\u2019s perfect start to their Premier League title defense came off the rails in a 3-0 trouncing by Brighton, while Tottenham remain winless after a 3-2 defeat to Aston Villa.<\/p>\n
Mikel Arteta\u2019s men arrived on the south coast in formidable form having won all seven games in all competitions this season.<\/p>\n
But it was Brighton\u2019s fine start to the campaign that was maintained as goals from Pascal Gross, Charalampos Kostoulas and Chema Andres breached the Gunners\u2019 normally impenetrable defense.<\/p>\n
\u201cBrighton deserved to win the game. We didn\u2019t do the basics right for long periods,\u201d said Arteta.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a big lesson for us to learn. How the team has played and competed in the last six or seven weeks has been expectational, but today has been a big lesson.\u201d<\/p>\n
It is the third consecutive season that the Premier League champions have lost at the Amex after Liverpool and Manchester City in the past two years.<\/p>\n
Brighton were full of confidence after becoming the first side in 50 years to come from 2-0 down to beat Manchester United at Old Trafford in the League Cup in midweek.<\/p>\n
Fabian Hurzeler\u2019s side went at Arsenal from the start but had to wait until 31 minutes for the opener when Gross crashed a shot in off the inside of the post.<\/p>\n
Arsenal were punished for allowing too much space on the edge of their area again just before half-time when Kostoulas this time picked his spot to beat David Raya.<\/p>\n
Rather than a rousing second-half response, the visitors fell further behind on the hour mark as Andres was afforded the space to head in Gross\u2019s corner inside the six-yard box for Brighton\u2019s 16th goal in five league games this season.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a special win. Not only because we played the best team in England but because of the performance,\u201d said Hurzeler. \u201cI am really proud of my team.\u201d<\/p>\n
The defeat is Arsenal\u2019s heaviest in any competition since April 2023.<\/p>\n
– Spurs \u2018too fragile\u2019 –<\/p>\n
It was also another day to forget for Arsenal\u2019s north London rivals as Tottenham will have to stew over a three-week international break in the relegation zone.<\/p>\n
After four games without a goal, an end to Spurs\u2019 drought came too late as they were already 3-0 down before two consolation strikes from Conor Gallagher and Jan Paul van Hecke.<\/p>\n
Villa were indebted to goalkeeper Zion Suzuki for a string of saves to keep them in the game before Johan Manzambi slotted the visitors ahead at the end of the first half.<\/p>\n
Nicolas Jackson exposed some woeful Spurs defending to add a second before a brilliant strike from Emi Buendia secured Villa\u2019s first league win of the season.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe played well in the first half, we didn\u2019t score, but (we are) too fragile,\u201d said Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe moment when we have to defend, we have to defend compact. The leaders have to be leaders and to lead the team.\u201d<\/p>\n
Newcastle ended newly-promoted Hull\u2019s unbeaten start with two goals inside the first seven minutes through Joe Willock and Lewis Hall for a 2-1 win.<\/p>\n
Konstantinos Tzolakis saved Yoane Wissa\u2019s penalty before half-time to keep Hull alive and they produced a nervy finish at St. James\u2019 Park when Mohamed-Ali Cho pulled a goal back.<\/p>\n
Everton climbed up to fifth after extending their unbeaten start with a 1-0 win over 10-man Ipswich.<\/p>\n
Thierno Barry scored the only goal and had another ruled out by VAR before Abdul Fatawu saw a second yellow card for diving.<\/p>\n
Manchester City can open up a three-point lead at the top when they host Sunderland, while Manchester United aim to give some respite to embattled manager Michael Carrick at Fulham on Sunday.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n