Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided an explanation as to what led his side to suffer a shock defeat at the hands of Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Gunners failed to win a game for the first time this season, losing 3-0 to the Seagulls in front of a record crowd at the Amex Stadium.
Arteta cut a subdued figure as he prowled his technical area during the game, watching his champions get outclassed with relative comfort.
He blamed the defeat on the profligacy of his team, arguing that they missed several good openings that would have resulted in a different outcome.
The Arsenal manager will have three weeks to ponder on what went wrong for his side and look carefully at how they lost so badly.
What Did Mikel Arteta Say After The Game?
Arteta spoke to reporters after his side suffered their biggest defeat in the league for over three years, answering questions on the game and his team's performance.
When asked to break down the cause of the defeat, he began by praising Brighton for a fine showing at home before analysing his side's shortcomings.
He pointed out that his side did not perform at the level required in the Premier League, and blamed the defeat on his side's misses (via BBC Sport):
"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, has been exceptional but today has been a big lesson," he said (via BBC Radio 5 live).
Arsenal ended the game with more possession, a higher xG, and more touches in the opposition box than their opponents.
They created two big chances throughout the game, missing both of them in what was an off-day for their attackers.
Brighton Overwhelmed Arteta's Side To Secure Fine Victory
Brighton have begun the season in impressive form, already recording fine wins over Aston Villa and Manchester United in the Carabao Cup only days ago.
They looked up for the test against the reigning champions from the first whistle, deploying a high press to squeeze the pitch and force turnovers deep in Arsenal territory.
The tactic from Fabian Hurzeler worked well, as the Seagulls hounded their opponents when out of possession, preventing them from getting the ball into their dangerous forwards with ease.
Their intensity set the tone for a grim afternoon for the Gunners, and their superiority was cemented once Pascal Groß opened the scoring via the upright in the 31st minute after a fine passing move that opened Arsenal up.
A second goal followed before the break, with Charalampos Kostoulas scoring from a very similar position to Groß's opener.
The Seagulls ensured that there was to be no route back for their visitors after the break, as Chema Andres headed home a Groß delivery from inside the six-yard box.
Arteta's side managed just two shots on target all game and could easily have conceded more, had Matt O'Riley kept his cool in the closing stages.
