Brighton thrashed Arsenal 3-0 at the American Express Stadium on Saturday, 19 September 2026, turning Albion’s 125th anniversary into a night that ended the champions’ perfect Premier League start.
For long spells Arsenal barely got out. Pascal Groß, standing in as captain, opened the scoring in the 31st minute: Charalampos “Babis” Kostoulas found him outside the box, and the German’s right-foot strike flew past David Raya. On the stroke of half-time the Amex erupted again. Diego Gómez slipped Kostoulas into a break, and the Greek teenager hammered a low drive into the bottom corner from range for 2-0.
Twelve minutes into the second half Brighton made the points safe. Groß swung in a corner; Chema Andrés rose unmarked at the near post and headed into the bottom right. Arsenal pushed late with set pieces and a Declan Rice booking in stoppage time, but Bart Verbruggen was barely tested until a late one-on-one with Kai Havertz, which the Dutch keeper stopped. Matt O’Riley almost made it four; Raya denied him.
The result leaves Arsenal’s 100 per cent league start in ruins and Brighton unbeaten after five Premier League matches, sitting third and two points off the top. It was also a landmark crowd at the Amex on the club’s anniversary weekend.
