Arsenal’s unbeaten start to the Premier League season ended in bruising fashion as Brighton swept Mikel Arteta’s side aside in a convincing 3-0 victory at the Amex Stadium.

There was an unsettling quality to Arsenal’s performance from the opening exchanges. Brighton pressed with purpose, attacked loose possession and repeatedly found space as the visitors retreated towards their own penalty area.

Pascal Gross and Charalampos Kostoulas punished that passivity with strikes from distance before Chema Andres added Brighton’s third from a corner after half-time.

For Arsenal, there were precious few positives. Declan Rice attempted to impose himself on midfield and Bukayo Saka provided occasional flashes of threat, yet Brighton consistently appeared quicker to loose balls and considerably more comfortable with the rhythm of the contest.

Arsenal rarely established control from the back. Brighton’s pressure caused problems in possession, while the reluctance to close down shooters proved particularly costly.

David Raya endured an uncertain opening and could have done better with Brighton’s efforts from distance. Jurrien Timber looked understandably short of rhythm on his first start since March, while Ezri Konsa struggled when Brighton attacked directly.

Gabriel produced perhaps the most surprising performance. Usually so aggressive when stepping forward, the Brazilian repeatedly allowed Brighton space around the penalty area.

Arsenal were unable to deal with Brighton’s intensity from the outset and Arteta found no convincing solution as the afternoon deteriorated. His substitutions offered limited improvement, leaving plenty to address after a 3-0 defeat that brought Arsenal’s unbeaten opening to the campaign to an emphatic conclusion.