“We deserve to lose against them because they are the best team in the Premier League and they have….”- Brighton star Kaoru Mitoma reflects on Brighton’s defeat to Arsenal as he emotionally stepped out of the Emirates Stadium

“We deserve to lose against them because they are the best team in the Premier League and they have….”- Brighton star Kaoru Mitoma reflects on Brighton’s defeat to Arsenal as he emotionally stepped out of the Emirates Stadium

The Gunners moved, temporarily at least, back to the top of the table following a thoroughly comprehensive 2-0 win over a side who had won on their last three visits to the red half of north London.

Arsenal had to wait until eight minutes into the second half to open the scoring through Gabriel Jesus and eventually put the game to bed late on with the increasingly impressive Kai Havertz on target for the fourth by time in seven matches.

It was the fist time Brighton had failed to score this season and De Zerbi was forced to concede his side had been outclassed by a team that look well equipped to go one better than last season when they finished as runners-up to Manchester City.

‘Arsenal played much better than us,’ said the Brighton star Kaoru Mitoma. ‘They deserved to win the game. We suffered a lot.

‘I think Arsenal are one of the best, maybe this season the best team in the Premier League. We are not used to suffering in this way. We are used to controlling the game.’

By contrast Mikel Arteta was thrilled by what was arguably his side’s most complete performance of the campaign to date.

‘Outstanding, incredible,’ said the delighted Arsenal manager. ‘Big compliment to the team and to the players.

‘I think we had an incredible performance against a top team. I think we fully deserved to win the game.

‘I have to praise them because I know how difficult it is and what Brighton do to teams. We didn’t allow that to happen, so I’m super happy.’