Arsenal’s perfect start to the Premier League season came to an abrupt halt as Brighton & Hove Albion delivered a comprehensive 3-0 defeat. The loss, Arsenal’s first of the campaign, saw them drop to second in the league table, while Brighton climbed to third.

The Gunners failed to equal a club record of eight consecutive wins to begin a season, a feat last achieved in the 1903/04 campaign. Brighton’s goals came from Pascal Gross in the 31st minute, followed by Charalampos Kostoulas in first-half additional time. Chema Andres sealed the victory with a third goal.

Arteta’s lineup changes spark debate

Manager Mikel Arteta made two notable changes to the Arsenal side that had recently secured a win over Sunderland. Jurrien Timber replaced Ben White, but it was the decision to bring Bruno Guimaraes in for Myles Lewis-Skelly that drew significant attention and criticism from supporters.

Guimaraes, acquired from Newcastle United, made his first Premier League start for Arsenal. However, the absence of 19-year-old Lewis-Skelly, who had become a fixture in the starting XI, quickly became a talking point among the fanbase.

Read also: Mourinho and Simeone renew old rivalry in crucial Madrid derby

Lewis-Skelly had enjoyed a strong start to the season, demonstrating his importance to the squad:

• He had made six appearances across all competitions this season.

• He featured in the previous four Premier League matches, starting all of them.

• He also started midweek against Ipswich Town in the Carabao Cup.

• His consistent performances had even led to transfer speculation before the season began, with Manchester United reportedly interested in acquiring his signature.

Following the Brighton defeat, fans took to social media to voice their frustration, with many pointing to Lewis-Skelly’s absence as a contributing factor to the team’s struggles. As reported by SPORTbible, one supporter declared, “Lewis-Skelly might actually be undroppable.” Another fan echoed this sentiment, directly addressing the manager: “Tell Arteta, never bench Myles Lewis-Skelly again.” The swift and vocal reaction highlighted the young midfielder’s growing importance in the eyes of the Arsenal faithful.

Read also: Ex-PGMOL chief Keith Hackett slams Declan Rice yellow card, citing refereeing inconsistency