Caretaker manager Freddie Ljungberg said Arsenal “did not show up” for the first 45 minutes as the Gunners’ winless streak reached nine games in a 2-1 home defeat to Brighton on Thursday.
Neal Maupay headed in a deserved winner for the Seagulls 10 minutes from time after Alexandre Lacazette had cancelled out Adam Webster’s opener for Brighton.
Defeat leaves Arsenal in 10th place and 10 points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea in the hunt for Champions League qualification next season.
On this evidence there is little chance of Ljungberg landing the job on a permanent basis as another sparse crowd at the Emirates greeted the final whistle with a chorus of boos.
“You cannot give away a whole half against any team in the Premier League,” said Ljungberg.
“We did not show up in the first half, we very passive, we didn’t move. We had chat at half-time, made a tactical change and all of a sudden we looked like the team we wanted to for 20 minutes.”
Brighton made the most of Gunners poor run to win on the road in the Premier League for the first time since the opening weekend of the season.
Victory for Brighton takes them to within a point of Arsenal and four clear of the relegation zone.
“We had lots of quality and courage,” said Brighton boss Graham Potter, whose side enjoyed more possession and more shots on goal than the hosts.
“The main stat is the scoreline. At the end it’s nice for the players and supporters that you get a reward for the way we are trying to play.”
Elsewhere, Newcastle taught Sheffield United a lesson in taking their chances as the Magpies won 2-0 at Bramall Lane despite enjoying just 27 percent possession.
Allan Saint-Maximin headed the visitors in front with his first goal for the club and Jonjo Shelvey secured the three points when he played on as the Blades defence stopped at the sight of the offside flag going up against Andy Carroll.
A VAR review showed Carroll was onside as he flicked the ball into Shelvey’s path.