Mikel Arteta brutally points finger at Arsenal players after Brighton mauling

Mikel Arteta has spoken to the press following Arsenal's 3-0 defeat to Brighton at the Amex Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Mikel Arteta has pointed the finger at his players following Arsenal's disappointing defeat to Brighton. Pascal Gross fired Fabian Hurzeler's side to victory at the Amex Stadium on Saturday afternoon, ending the Gunners' perfect start to the new Premier League season.

The Seagulls captain broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark, smashing the ball past David Raya at his near post from range. Charalampos Kostoulas doubled Brighton's lead shortly before the break, also beating the Arsenal goalkeeper from outside the box.

Hurzeler gave Arteta a taste of his own medicine in the second half when Chema Andrés latched onto an excellent corner from Gross. The Seagulls midfielder leapt above Gabriel Magalhaes at the back post, putting the third and final nail in the coffin.

Had it not been for Raya, Brighton could have piled on the misery. The Gunners have now lost their first game of the campaign, gifting Manchester City the opportunity to go three points clear when they face Sunderland at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

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Speaking to reporters after the game, Arteta accused his players of making 'technical errors', disrespecting 'principle of play', and failing to capitalise on chances to get back into the game.

The Arsenal boss said: "Extremely disappointed. But first of all, we have to congratulate Brighton; they deserved it. They were the better team, and from our side, there were certain basics in football that we didn't.

"Winning the first ball. They put us in a really difficult place. The amount of technical errors. We didn't respect any principle of play. We had moments of dominance and control, and we opened them up; we didn't take those chances."

When asked why Arsenal fell short of expectations, Arteta said: "Well, the first one is that Brighton were really good. The timing was better than us. What we've done the way we competed [this season] has been remarkable. But this is a big lesson."

When asked what was going through his head as Brighton demolished Arsenal, Arteta added: "Ways to be able to change it but, okay, we start to get more dominance and control that gave them belief.

"When you get into those moments, it is very difficult to change it. We made two or three really difficult positions."

During an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, the Gunners boss doubled down. Arteta said: "Brighton deserved to win the game. We didn't do the basics right for long periods, especially in the first half.

"We didn't win enough duels, and any second balls, and that stretches you. With the errors that we made, and especially with the principles we didn't apply against a team that wants to press you.

"So that puts us constantly under pressure and [we] didn't get out of that in the way we normally do. So a lot of things to learn and take, but ultimately disappointed."

On whether he was surprised with his side's performance, Arteta said: "Two things, one give credit to them. In the manner that they played and committed to every single action. We were below the standards that are required for us, but in the Premier League as well.

"When you miss chances like we did, it becomes impossible. I want to congratulate Brighton for what they've done. It's a big lesson for us to learn.

"If I have to describe how the team has played and competed in the last six or seven weeks, [it] has been expectational, but today has been a big lesson."