Brighton & Hove Albion eliminated Premier League leaders Arsenal from the Carabao Cup with an outstanding performance.
The Seagulls won 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium to continue their recent winning streak under Roberto De Zerbi, and they earned their victory in north London.
Eddie Nketiah scored in the first 20 minutes of the game, his 11th Carabao Cup goal in just his 12th appearance in the competition. Danny Welbeck, Kaoru Mitoma, and Tariq Lamptey were the heroes of the night, canceling it out.
Reiss Nelson was a shining light for Arsenal down the left flank, and it was his thrilling burst of speed that resulted in the first goal. Before reaching Nketiah, he outran two Brighton players, and he skillfully placed his shot beyond Jason Steele.
The advantage didn’t last long, though, as Welbeck tied the score from the penalty spot after rookie Arsenal goalkeeper Karl Hein made a costly mistake. Before bringing down the former Gunners striker in the area, the 20-year-old lost his balance. He took the ensuing penalty kick with consummate ease.
At halftime, Brighton made Mitoma and Pascal Gross debuts; it was the former who gave the Seagulls the lead with his second goal in as many days. The Japanese star, who will play in the World Cup in Qatar, received a pass from Jeremy Sarmiento and then blasted the ball past Hein and into the corner.
Brighton put an end to any hopes of a comeback with a devastating third goal on the break as Arsenal pushed to tie the game and get back into it. Billy Gilmour contributed in the build-up, but Lamptey’s poised approach and eventual close-range goal were largely responsible for the goal.
Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus were brought off the bench to try and score for Mikel Arteta’s team, but it wasn’t to be for the in-form Brighton team on this particular occasion.
Brighton will now advance to the fourth round after another strong showing under new head coach De Zerbi.
Arsenal player ratings
GK: Karl Hein (5), RB: Cedric Soares (5), CB: William Saliba (7), CB: Rob Holding (6), LB: Kieran Tierney (6); CM: Mohamed Elneny (5), CM: Albert Sambi Lokonga (5); AM: Fabio Vieira (6), RW: Marquinhos (6), Fabio Vieira (6), LW: Reiss Nelson (7); ST: Eddie Nketiah (8)
Subs: Gabriel Martinelli (6), Gabriel (5), Gabriel Jesus (6), Oleksandr Zinchenko (N/A), Granit Xhaka (N/A)
Brighton player ratings
GK: Jason Steele (7), RB: Joel Veltman (7), CB: Levi Colwill (8), CB: Lewis Dunk (7), LB: Tariq Lamptey (8); CM: Billy Gilmour (7), CM: Moises Caicedo (6); AM: Julio Enciso (6), RW: Solly March (6), Fabio Vieira (6), LW: Jeremy Sarmiento (6); ST: Danny Welbeck (8)
Subs: Kaoru Mitoma (8), Pascal Gross (7), Adam Webster (6), Pervis Estipunan (N/A), Denis Undav (N/A)
Player of the Match – Danny Welbeck
