Alan Shearer has warned Arsenal that their dismal 3-0 defeat at Brighton could seriously damage their Premier League title hopes if they produce similar performances again this season. The Gunners, who had a 100 per cent record in all competitions before the match, were outplayed at the Amex Stadium, with goals from Pascal Gross and Charalampos Kostoulas in the first half and a header from Chema Andres after the break sealing a comprehensive victory for the Seagulls.
Brighton dominate as Arsenal struggle
Arsenal travelled to the south coast as clear favourites, but Brighton took control early. Gross opened the scoring, and Kostoulas doubled the lead before half-time, leaving the reigning champions stunned. In the 57th minute, summer signing Chema Andres rose highest to head home Gross' corner, sparking wild celebrations among the home supporters.
The visitors were fortunate to finish with ten men after Declan Rice petulantly kicked out at Malick Yalcouye in a moment of frustration, receiving only a yellow card. The result means Enzo Maresca's Manchester City can move three points clear at the top of the table with a win over Sunderland at the Etihad this afternoon.
Shearer and Murphy criticise Arsenal display
Speaking on Match of the Day, former England striker Alan Shearer did not hold back. 'They've been beaten, they've been well beaten,' he said. 'It could have been six or seven and this was frustration from Declan Rice. Yalcouye gives him a little nudge there and I do think the referee gets that right. He gives him a yellow card. I don't think it was too aggressive, he didn't lash out at him, therefore I think the referee got that right, but it sort of summed Arsenal's day up.'
Shearer, the Premier League's all-time leading goalscorer, stressed there was no need to 'panic' but insisted Arsenal could ill afford to repeat their display 'too many times' if they are to defend their title. 'I would say there's no panic because after five games last season, Arsenal had ten points. After five games this season, they've got 12 points,' he added. 'But that performance can't happen too many times, if again.'
Murphy praises Brighton's brave approach
Danny Murphy, alongside Shearer in the Match of the Day studio, was equally scathing of Arsenal's lacklustre showing. 'Arsenal were second best in every department and I have to say, I haven't seen a team do that to Arsenal for a long, long time,' Murphy said. However, the former Liverpool and Tottenham midfielder applauded Brighton's 'brave' performance and backed Fabian Hurzeler's side to cause problems for many teams this season.
'Since the beginning of last season, nobody has had higher turnovers than Brighton did today with their intensity,' Murphy added. 'This isn't a one-off by the way because I've done three of their games this season and they've been exactly the same in all the games. It doesn't always go for them, sometimes they concede, but it's a brave way to play. The fans are enjoying it and they're gonna cause teams some problems.'
Arsenal now face a long wait to put things right, with Mikel Arteta's men hosting Leeds in their next match after the international break.
