Arsenal’s unbeaten Premier League start was ended by a 3-0 thrashing at Brighton – and the fallout from the loss has continued into Monday
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal conceded top spot in the Premier League – before seeing Manchester City extend the gap further on Sunday as they beat Sunderland in an end-to-end thriller.
The Gunners, however, were embarrassed at the hands of Brighton and Pascal Gross. It was the first time in almost three years the Gunners’ usually sturdy defence had shipped three goals – and the fallout has continued into Monday.
Bruno Guimaraes has been slammed by a former Arsenal star, while Arteta, himself, has pointed the finger at one aspect of his team. And with all that in mind, Daily Star Sport rounds up all the biggest stories from the past 24 hours.
Mikel Arteta’s finger pointing
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Prior to Saturday, Arsenal hadn’t shipped three goals in a single match since a December 2023 4-3 triumph over Luton Town. Arteta criticised his players following the Brighton encounter, insisting they were mistake-prone.
“Brighton deserved to win the game. We didn’t do the basics right for long periods, especially in the first half. We didn’t win enough duels and any second balls and that stretches you.
“With the errors that we made and especially with the principles we didn’t apply against a team that wants to press you,” reports the Mirror.
“So that puts us constantly under pressure and didn’t get out of that in the way we normally do. So a lot of things to learn and take, but ultimately disappointed.”
Paul Merson slams Bruno Guimaraes
Bruno Guimaraes was deployed alongside Declan Rice in central midfield against Brighton, but suffered a nightmare afternoon and was withdrawn on the hour mark for Mikel Merino.
Paul Merson didn’t pull any punches when evaluating the £75million man’s showing. He said: “A million miles off it. I said at half-time he would come off, but he’s stayed on for another 10 minutes or so.
“It was really quick for him. They closed him down. I don’t care how good you are.
“If people get your head down and close you down and make you work, it’s a leveller and that’s what Brighton have done. They have been absolutely brilliant.”