Arsenal's unbeaten start to the Premier League season came to an end on Saturday when they fell 3-0 to Brighton & Hove Albion. The loss allowed Manchester City to extend their lead at the top of the table by three points. Despite the defeat, Bruno Guimaraes made his first Premier League start since his £75 million transfer from Newcastle United. The Brazilian had previously impressed as a substitute against Aston Villa and Sunderland, showing his potential in high-pressure situations. Paul Merson, a former Arsenal player and well-known football analyst, was critical of Guimaraes' performance, saying he was "a million miles off it." Merson questioned manager Mikel Arteta's decision to start Guimaraes over Myles Lewis-Skelly, suggesting that the team struggled against Brighton's physicality and intensity. He noted that Arsenal were "outrun, overpowered in midfield, and ripped to shreds" during the match. Merson acknowledged that Guimaraes has strengths, particularly in games where teams adopt a low defensive block, allowing him to control possession and dictate the tempo. However, he raised concerns that Guimaraes might struggle against teams that press aggressively and apply constant physical pressure. Merson pointed out that Guimaraes had performed well as a substitute against Aston Villa, where he was "outstanding" in maintaining possession and playing at his own pace. Despite his criticism of the team's performance, Merson made it clear he was not blaming Guimaraes for the loss. Instead, he questioned Arteta's decision to make changes in a challenging match, suggesting that even elite players can struggle when forced to play under intense physical pressure. With the international break now behind them, Arsenal is set to face Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium on October 10, aiming to bounce back from their first defeat of the season.