Brighton celebrated their 125th anniversary with a dominant 3-0 victory over Premier League champions Arsenal at the Amex Stadium. Midfielder Bruno Guimarães described Arsenal’s display as “unacceptable” and unworthy of a champions’ shirt.
Brighton delivered a scintillating performance on September 19, 2026, crushing Arsenal 3-0 at the Amex Stadium as part of the Seagulls’ 125th‑anniversary celebrations. The victory handed the defending champions their first defeat of the season and halted their bid for an eighth consecutive win across all competitions.
Veteran stand‑in captain Pascal Gross opened the scoring, followed by a strike from teenage prospect Charalampos Kostoulas. New signing Chema Andrés added a third from a corner twelve minutes into the second half, sealing the win. According to The Guardian, Brighton now sit third in the league, two points behind Arsenal despite the loss, highlighting the tight top‑four race.
Arsenal midfielder Bruno Guimarães, speaking after the match, labelled the team’s performance “unacceptable” and said it was “not fit for a Premier League champions’ shirt.” He criticised the lack of cohesion in midfield and the under‑whelming display of fellow Brazilian Bruno Guimarães, who made his first Premier League start for the Gunners on the day.
The match also featured Brighton’s limited‑edition deep‑blue shirts, a nod to their inaugural Southern League kit from 1901. Fans who purchased the £150 replica, which included a letter of authenticity from owner Tony Bloom, will likely cherish the one‑off design after the historic win.
Arsenal’s coach Mikel Arteta, who has yet to comment publicly, will need to address defensive lapses that saw the champions concede three goals for the first time since December 2023. The defeat underscores the challenges Arsenal face as they aim to retain the title amid fierce competition from Brighton and other contenders.