Goals from Adam Webster and Neal Maupay either side of an Alexandre Lacazette equaliser compounded Arsenal’s troubles as Brighton triumphed 2-1 at the Emirates.

The tie started as an even affair, Arsenal pressing Brighton high as Graham Potter’s side started with their conventional slick style of play out from the back.

Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were presented with various scoring opportunities, although their time of run left much to be desired as the pair fell victim to the linesman’s flag on several occasions.

Neal Maupay’s flashed attempt across goal was almost turned home by striker partner Aaron Connelly at the far post on 25 minutes as the visitors grew into the encounter.

The former Brentford striker forced a low stop from Bernd Leno on 32 minutes, the Arsenal crowd growing ever-frustrated.

The deadlock was finally broken on 36 minutes and it was the visitors celebrating. After Connolly’s chest control from a corner, Adam Webster, another player purchased from the Championship this summer, reacted first and fired low past Leno.

The Arsenal impact could of have been almost instant. After Aubameyang beat Dan Burn on the right, the ball was hung high to the far post to Joe Willock. The England youth international headed low but saw his effort saved brilliantly by Mat Ryan in the Brighton goal to preserve the Seagulls’ lead at the break.

Freddie Ljungberg brought Nicolas Pepe on at half-time for the hosts and the Ivorian’s impact was immediate as Arsenal began the second period on the front foot.

The equaliser duly arrived just five minutes into the half. A Mesut Ozil corner was flicked on by Alexandre Lacazette all the way to the far post where Mat Ryan failed to keep the ball out among pressure from Sead Kolasinac and his own defender.

Further Gunners forays followed although Graham Potter’s men regained composure, Maupay failing to sort out his feet when presented with a great chance inside the six-yard box.

Arsenal thought they had claimed the lead when David Luiz flicked home from a free kick, VAR clearly showing the Brazilian was offside.

The home side were in the ascendancy as the final 15 loomed, Freddie Ljungberg looking animated as he searched for his first win as caretaker boss.

But it was Brighton who regained the lead. Substitute Leandro Trossard played in Aaron Mooy, whose cross found Maupay to deftly steer past Leno into the far corner and send the away support into raptures.

Arsenal were agonisingly close to restoring parity as time continued to allude Ljungberg’s Gunners, Gabriel Martinelli’s headed effort kept out by the superb Ryan.

Trossard could have extended the lead in injury time but Brighton held on for a well deserved win which lifts them to 13th, Arsenal drop to tenth.

Team Lineups:

Arsenal XI: Leno, Bellerin, Sokratis, Luiz, Kolasinac (Tierney, 72), Ozil, Torreira, Willock (Pepe, 46), Xhaka, Aubameyang (C), Lacazette (Martinelli, 77)

Arsenal unused substitutes: Martinez, Chambers, Guendouzi, Nelson

Brighton XI: Ryan, Alzate (Duffy, 88), Dunk, Webster, Burn, Stephens, Propper, Gross (Trossard, 80) Mooy, Maupay, Connolly (Montoya, 76)

Brighton unused substitutes: Button, Bernardo, Bissouma, Murray