Arteta condemns Arsenal display after Brighton inflict first defeat

Mikel Arteta accused Arsenal of failing to respect the fundamentals of the game after they suffered a 3-0 defeat by Brighton on Saturday.

The loss, Arsenal’s first of the season, leaves the defending champions on 12 points and gives Manchester City the opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to three points.

Pascal Gross, Charalampos Kostoulas and Chima Andres scored as Brighton inflicted Arsenal’s heaviest Premier League defeat in three years, according to Sky Sports, bringing a surprisingly emphatic end to the Gunners’ winning start.

Arteta felt his players were second best in the physical contests and criticised their handling of the ball, particularly as Brighton’s pressure took effect.

“An extremely disappointing result and performance,” said the Arsenal manager. “All credit to Brighton for the way they performed and dealt with the match.”

He added: “They were a level above us in the fundamentals of the game. They were always ahead in the first contact, the second movements and the second balls, and they started playing from there.

“On top of that, when we had the ball, especially in our half, we were extremely poor technically. We did not respect the rules and principles that must be applied against a team that wants to press you man-to-man.

“That never gives you the option to control and manage the game in the way you want. When big chances came our way, we did not take them. We have to make sure we learn the lesson because this cannot happen again.”

Arteta: Warning signs were clear

Arteta said the pattern of the match had become apparent from the opening stages, with Arsenal repeatedly putting themselves under pressure.

“There were many moments when the contest was 50-50, but most of the time it was in their favour,” he said.

“Sometimes there were some huge mistakes that affected us in a very difficult way, but that is something we have to learn from.

“From the first throw-in, it was very clear. We put ourselves in trouble once, twice and three times, and we needed to get out of those situations much quicker. That is one of the biggest lessons we have to take from the game.”

With a three-week international break now beginning, Arteta urged caution before judging Arsenal’s progress over recent weeks.

“This will not affect what the team and the players have achieved in the last six or seven weeks since returning from the World Cup,” he said.

“With 18 players coming back, what we have achieved, the way we competed and the number of matches we won was remarkable.

“But this is a big lesson for all of us to understand what it takes to win at this level.”