Arsenal's impressive winning streak met a harsh reality as Brighton & Hove Albion delivered a commanding 3-0 defeat on October 1, 2023. This loss marked the first for Mikel Arteta's side this season, shattering hopes of achieving an eighth consecutive victory and the best start in 123 years.

From the outset, Brighton, under Fabian Hurzeler, dominated the match. The Seagulls took a 2-0 lead by halftime with long-range strikes from Pascal Gross and Charalampos Kostoulas. Arsenal struggled to create meaningful chances, with their first significant effort only coming 44 minutes into the game.

Key moments included:

• 30': Gross scored a stunning opener, curling a shot off David Raya's near post.
• 45': Just seconds after an Arsenal chance, Kostoulas doubled the lead with a long-range effort.
• 56': Chema Andres headed in from a Gross corner, extending Brighton's lead to 3-0.

Despite several close calls, including a near miss from Pascal Struijk and a one-on-one save from Bart Verbruggen, Brighton's defense held firm, showcasing their intensity and commitment throughout.

Post-match, Arteta acknowledged the team's poor performance, emphasizing a lack of respect for the game, while Hurzeler praised his players for their intensity and teamwork. The result propelled Brighton to third in the Premier League, just two points behind Arsenal, while Manchester City could extend their lead at the top with a win over Sunderland.