ARSENAL were knocked out of the Carabao Cup as Brighton came from behind to win 3-1 at the Emirates and book their place in the fourth round.
Eddie Nketiah broke the deadlock in the 20th minute when he whipped a wonderful strike into the top corner.
But Brighton levelled things up seven minutes later as Arsenal‘s keeper for the night, Karl Hein, slipped and then brought Danny Welbeck down for a penalty.
Ex-Gunners striker Welbeck stepped up to slot the spot kick into the bottom corner to level things up.
And the visitors then went in front shortly before the hour mark as substitute Kaoru Mitoma curled home a superb effort.
Brighton extended their advantage with 19 minutes remaining as Tariq Lamptey fired home, with Roberto De Zerbi’s men comfortably seeing out the game to advance into the last 16.
Here is how SunSport’s Dylan Terry saw the performances of the Arsenal players.
KARL HEIN – 3/10
His first task of the entire season led to a moment he will not want to be reminded of.
Hein slipped and allowed Welbeck to beat him to the ball, only for the keeper to then rashly bring him down for a penalty – which the ex-Arsenal striker tucked away.
Conceding two more only added insult to injury in what was a difficult debut for the 20-year-old Estonian.
CEDRIC SOARES – 5
Looked exposed when up against Enciso and Sarmiento as Brighton targeted Arsenal’s right side.
If it wasn’t for Saliba coming across to help him out, Cedric could have had a brutal night. As it turned out, it was merely somewhat underpar.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 5
Was clearly struggling when Welbeck sprung the offside trap to run in behind and win the penalty.
Looked a yard or two off the pace compared with his brilliant form so far this season.
Replaced by Gabriel in the 63rd minute.
ROB HOLDING – 5
An experienced head and a good back-up centre-half, but does lack that bit of quality on the ball that Gabriel gives Arsenal.
Also looked vulnerable for the second goal as he was sucked in and punished by the creativity of Sarmiento and Mitoma’s finish.
KIERAN TIERNEY – 6
Most of Brighton’s attacks seemed to come down the other side in the first half, so Tierney enjoyed a rather quiet time from a defensive side of things.
Going forward he was always an outlet for Nelson, although he rarely received a pass.
Came off for Zinchenko with 18 minutes remaining.
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MOHAMED ELNENY – 6
A solid performance from Elneny – who had played just 66 minutes of football since August coming into this one.
He was a calming presence alongside the more erratic Lokonga and picked out some nice passes to set Arsenal on their way in attack.
SAMBI LOKONGA – 4
Was definitely the more underwhelming of the two defensive midfielders for Arsenal.
Was guilty of giving the ball away in dangerous areas and was made to look silly by Sarmiento and Enciso when they dropped into pockets of space in between the lines.
Replaced by Xhaka in the 80th minute.
REISS NELSON – 4
Looked dangerous the few times he had the ball, but they were simply not often enough.
Set up the goal and then drifted out of the game for large periods.
Skewed a poor effort wide in the closing stages. An underpar display.
FABIO VIEIRA – 5
Fluffed a couple of really good opportunities – one on his left foot and the other with his head.
Clearly has the quality to pick a pass, but lacks a ruthlessness in front of goal.
Made way for Jesus in the 72nd minute.
MARQUINHOS – 4
Really struggled to have any sort of positive impact on the first half. Resorted to needless fouls and poor crosses.
Understandably looked well short of minutes. The Arsenal fans were getting increasingly frustrated with his lack of decision-making in the final third.
Did produce one decent moment when he crossed for Vieira, only for the header to be denied by Steele.
Replaced by Martinelli in the 63rd minute.
EDDIE NKETIAH – 7
Curled in a delightful opener, showing the sort of finishing which has been missing in the Premier League so far this season.
Caused Brighton one or two more problems, before he fired against the inside of the post as the woodwork narrowly denied him a brace.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI (FOR MARQUINHOS, 63) – 5
Missed a great chance to pull one back, firing into the legs of Steele from close range.
GABRIEL (FOR SALIBA, 63) – 6
Brought fresh legs and for a brief moment some stability, before Brighton then scored their third.
Should have really replaced Holding.
GABRIEL JESUS (FOR VIEIRA, 72) – 6
Linked the play well when he came on. Struggled to have a real noticeable impact due to Brighton keeping possession.
OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO (FOR TIERNEY, 72) – 5
His delivery into the box was simply not good enough. A tame one into the arms of Steele late on was met by angry groans from the home fans.
GRANIT XHAKA (FOR LOKONGA, 80) – 5
Failed to really give Arsenal any more authority in the midfield – something they were crying out for.
That being said, the game had gone by the time he came off the bench.
Unused subs: White, Partey, Odegaard, Turner.
