# Have Arsenal been figured out?

> Brighton's 3-0 demolition of the Premier League champions raises questions about whether rivals have found a blueprint to exploit Arsenal's weaknesses.
- Title: Have Arsenal been figured out? · the Guardian | Shortify
- Summary: Brighton's 3-0 demolition of the Premier League champions raises questions about whether rivals have found a blueprint to exploit Arsenal's weaknesses…
- Keywords: arsenal, brighton, premier league, mikel arteta, fabian hürzeler, pressing tactics, 3-0 defeat, martin ødegaard, football tactics, title race, sports, figured
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/24/arsenal-brighton-premier-league-questions
- Published: 2026-09-24T10:00:14+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: arsenal, brighton, premier league, mikel arteta, fabian hürzeler, pressing tactics, 3-0 defeat, martin ødegaard, football tactics, title race, sports
## Brighton's stunning 3-0 upset
Arsenal lost 3-0 to Brighton on Saturday, their first defeat in the Premier League since April and their worst loss in over three years. The defending champions were thoroughly outplayed on the south coast.

> They were pressed to death by them.
## How Brighton pressed Arsenal apart
Brighton used relentless man-to-man pressing to disrupt Arsenal's build-up play, with midfielder Chema Andrés hounding Martin Ødegaard. This forced Arsenal into long balls and transition situations where Brighton thrived.

> We wanted to win the small battles first.
## Brighton's physical intensity was key
Three of the four players covering the most distance on Saturday were Brighton players. No Premier League team averages more high turnovers per 90 minutes this season, making their pressing approach physically demanding and hard to replicate.
## Can other teams copy Brighton?
Brighton's formula will be tough to replicate because it demands the physical legs and lungs to press relentlessly for 90 minutes. However, tactical analysts at rival clubs will study this performance closely.
## Arsenal had mitigating circumstances
Arsenal played their fourth away game in 10 days and were missing key players like William Saliba and Ben White through injury. Several top players lacked pre-season after World Cup involvement.
## Brighton got lucky with finishing
Two of Brighton's three goals came from low-quality shots from outside the box. Brighton's total expected goals was just 1.31 compared to Arsenal's 1.63, meaning they outperformed their chances significantly.
## Arsenal still favorites for the title
Arsenal are two points better off than at this stage last season when they won the title. Manchester City lead the table, but Arsenal won seven of seven in all competitions before Saturday's loss.
## Key takeaway

Brighton's relentless pressing and physical intensity exposed Arsenal's vulnerabilities, but mitigating factors like fixture congestion and injuries suggest the loss may be a blip rather than a permanent crack.