Arsenal have been given an early warning ahead of Saturday’s trip to Brighton after the Seagulls produced a remarkable Carabao Cup comeback at Manchester United.
Fabian Hürzeler’s side trailed 2-0 after just ten minutes at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.
However, Brighton responded with three unanswered goals to win 3-2 and book their place in the fourth round.
The result becomes immediately relevant for Mikel Arteta. Arsenal travel to the Amex Stadium on Saturday looking to continue their strong Premier League start.
Manchester United appeared in complete control after early goals from Shea Lacey and Mason Mount.
Brighton changed the momentum before half-time.
Charalampos Kostoulas pulled one back in stoppage time before Pascal Groß equalised after 65 minutes.
Substitute Maxim De Cuyper then completed the turnaround four minutes later.
The full [Sky Sports match report](https://www.skysports.com/football/manchester-united-vs-brighton-and-hove-albion/report/577581?utm_source=chatgpt.com) detailed how United failed to register another shot on target between Mount’s tenth-minute goal and the 76th minute.
Brighton took full advantage.
It continued an impressive start to the campaign for Hürzeler’s side.
They had already beaten Coventry City 5-0 in the Premier League on Sunday and now head into Saturday’s meeting with Arsenal on the back of another statement result.
Perhaps the most significant detail for Arsenal was Brighton’s team selection.
Hürzeler made six changes for the cup tie at Old Trafford.
Despite that rotation, Brighton still recovered from two goals behind against Premier League opposition.
Several regular starters were therefore either rested or given reduced minutes before Arsenal arrive at the Amex.
That could matter for Arteta when assessing the physical challenge his side will face.
Arsenal also rotated heavily in midweek, making nine changes for their [4-2 Carabao Cup victory over Ipswich Town](https://readarsenal.com/2026/09/15/ipswich-town-vs-arsenal-carabao-cup-report/?utm_source=chatgpt.com).
Both teams have therefore managed to progress in the cup without relying entirely on their strongest available starting XI.
Saturday’s fixture already looked like one of Arsenal’s more demanding early-season assignments.
Brighton’s recent results have only strengthened that impression.
They have beaten Aston Villa 4-0 and Coventry 5-0 in the Premier League this season, while Wednesday’s comeback demonstrated another side to their game.
Arsenal will not face exactly the same Brighton XI that started at Old Trafford.
That makes the manner of the victory particularly significant.
Hürzeler was able to rotate, recover from a poor start and still secure progression.
Arteta’s side should arrive fresh themselves following the changes made against Ipswich, but Brighton have provided a timely reminder of the threat waiting for them on Saturday.
The Carabao Cup is now out of the way for both teams.
Attention can turn fully towards the Amex, where Arsenal will face a Brighton side carrying considerable momentum into the Premier League meeting.