Arsenal star criticised over ‘unusual’ performance in Brighton defeat

Arsenal stumbled to their first defeat of the season as they were well beaten by Fabian Hurzeler’s high-flying Brighton – and the usually unflappable David Raya had a day to forget on the south coast.

The Gunners had won seven from seven all competitions heading into the contest on the back of Bruno Guimaraes-inspired 2-0 win over Sunderland in the previous encounter.

But Mikel Arteta’s side were found wanting at the Amex Stadium as goals from Pascal Gross, Charalampos Kostoulas and Chema Andres steered Saturday’s hosts to a comprehensive 3-0 victory.

The reigning Premier League champions offered very little by way of response and were perhaps fortunate to finish with ten men on the field after Declan Rice was caught kicking out at Brighton’s Malick Yalcouye in the dying moments.

The result means Manchester City can claim a three-point lead over Arsenal at the top if they get the better of Sunderland this afternoon at the Etihad.

The north Londoners will look to get back to winning ways when they return to action after the international break at home to Leeds.

‘I’ve never seen them this bad but listen, you can have games like this,’ ex-Crystal Palace and Republic of Ireland striker Clinton Morrison said of Arsenal’s lacklustre performance on Premier League productions.

‘They’ve started the season ever so well and I think you’ve got to give credit more to Brighton.

‘But they were disappointing, Arsenal, the way they defended.’

Morrison singled out Raya’s especially ‘unusual’ showing between the sticks, criticising the Spaniard’s distribution out from the back.

‘Even David Raya who has been outstanding, he did make some important mistakes. It was very unusual, some of his distribution and stuff like that. Disappointing,’ he added.

‘It’s a bit of a reality check for Arsenal. It’s not going to be easy to retain the Premier League and it’s a hard place to go, Brighton, it’s always difficult and they’re a good team with a good manager.’

Having returned to Brighton from Borussia Dortmund in the summer, veteran midfielder Gross, 35, has hit the ground running in an outstanding start to the season for the Seagulls.

Gross has already netted four times in the Premier League at this embryonic stage of the campaign – and the German had never before scored three goals in three successive games, a feat he achieved with his 31st-minute strike against Arsenal.

‘He’s been outstanding,’ Morrison said of Gross.

‘When he left there and they managed to bring him back, I thought it was a great bit of business and he’s an outstanding player.

‘He doesn’t look 35, the way he’s covering the ground, and he’s so good on the ball.

‘That finish for the goal is outstanding. The only place he could have put that ball is there… there were defenders there if he tried to go across. Great finish.’

Stuart Pearce, providing punditry in the Premier League Productions studio alongside Morrison, highlighted how the return of Gross had helped fill the leadership void left by Danny Welbeck in the summer transfer window.

‘Brighton like leaders and role models in their dressing rooms that are not the manager or the coaching staff,’ the former England and Nottingham Forest defender said.

‘They’ve lost Danny Welbeck and they’ve lost James Milner and now it’s Gross’ turn to step up and be that person.’

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