Arsenal stats vs. Brighton: The numbers behind Gunners' biggest Premier League defeat in three years

Arsenal went into this weekend hoping to match a 123-year club record by winning an eighth game in a row at the beginning of a season.

What they did not envisage was a 3-0 defeat to a Brighton and Hove Albion team who have enjoyed a famous week.

Three days after recovering from two goals down to dump Manchester United out of the Carabao Cup at Old Trafford, Fabian Hurzeler's high-flying Seagulls inflicted a worst defeat on Arsenal in three years, running out 3-0 winners on England's south coast.

It was a result that struck the first blow of any sort to Arsenal's hopes of retaining their title, and it will give Mikel Arteta plenty of food for thought over the coming international break.

MORE: The Arsenal comparison that shows just how bad things are at Spurs

Arsenal stats vs. Brighton

Brighton scored all three of their goals before the hour mark. Pascal Gross broke the deadlock on 31 minutes before Charalampos Kostoulas made it 2-0. Both of these players scored in the win at Old Trafford this week.

Chema Andres got the third, and Brighton arguably should have won by a greater scoreline in the end.

Brighton hands Arsenal its first loss of the season in DOMINATING fashion with a 3-0 win. 😤 pic.twitter.com/pNKQRUi0Ca

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) September 19, 2026

Arsenal had 60 per cent of the ball but only produced two shots on target in the game, although an expected goals value of 1.58 from 11 shots in total shows that they really should have found the net. Brighton, by contrast, had 17 attempts, with five on target, but an xG of only 1.30, as per Fotmob.

The Gunners also managed more touches in the Brighton box, which gives some indication as to the effectiveness of the home side's defending inside their own area. A total of five blocks, 11 interceptions and 20 clearances tells you all you need to know about Brighton's rearguard.

FT: Brighton & Hove Albion 3-0 Arsenal#PL pic.twitter.com/xSvusoR8ER

— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) September 19, 2026

This was the first time Arsenal had lost a game after conceding three or more goals since Manchester United won 3-2 at Emirates Stadium in January. It was also the first league match in which they found themselves three goals down since a 3-0 home defeat in May 2023... to Brighton.