Analysis: Wake-up call for below-par Gunners

[Getty Images] Arsenal's season had been going perfectly until this heavy loss - against a side who beat them by the same margin at Emirates Stadium in 2023. The Gunners had conceded just one goal in the league this term during their impressive winning streak, but the performance against the Seagulls was far from the standards Mikel Arteta has demanded from his side. Bruno Guimaraes was given his first league start, but the Brazilian failed to click with Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard in the middle of the pitch. Arteta regularly makes a big point of wanting his side to be physically dominant in games, but the Gunners were beaten in duels all over the pitch as Brighton took control. Keeper David Raya, usually so dependable with the ball at his feet, looked unsure at times due to the pressure from the hosts, with Arsenal also registering just two shots on target which shows just how much they struggled in possession. Arteta will also be disappointed with how his side conceded the three goals, with his defenders allowing far too much space and time for shots from the edge of the area for the first two, and the third coming from a set-piece. This defeat won't define Arsenal's title defence, but will be a wake-up call as the international break starts.