Former Chelsea star makes surprise title race prediction after Arsenal defeat

Brighton thrashed Arsenal 3-0 on Saturday (Photo: Getty)

Brighton should be considered Premier League title contenders alongside Arsenal and Manchester City , according to former Chelsea star Tony Cascarino.

The Gunners began the season as clear favourites to defend the Premier League trophy, with City and Chelsea their nearest rivals, but a humiliating 3-0 defeat to the Seagulls on Saturday has thrown a spanner in the works.

Though the Blues have faltered after an impressive start, the Citizens are currently top of the table with a 100 per cent record and could extend their advantage if they beat Sunderland on Sunday .

But Brighton are now up to third in the table and the division’s top scorers, with 16 goals in five games. Additionally, they’ve knocked Manchester United out of the Carabao Cup and are the favourites to win the UEFA Conference League.

Fabian Hürzeler’s team have never won a major trophy, with sixth their highest finish in the Premier League, yet a huge season seems to be on thecards.

‘I see something special there with Brighton,’ Cascarino told talkSPORT . ‘Can they make the Champions League ? Of course they could.

‘What I’ve seen of them this year, the way they won at Old Trafford in midweek, the way they’ve taken Arsenal apart.

Arsenal remain title favourites… for now (Photo: Getty)

‘Now, can they keep it up? Have they got the squad size? Will they get edgier along the way? Yeah. Are they good enough?

‘I look at Brentford , what Leeds are doing, even Everton , these are all good sides, but I don’t think they’ve got as much flair as Brighton. They get goals for fun, this is a team that scores all the time.

‘I said the other week that Arsenal were the only team that could get near to or maybe even beat Chelsea ’s goals against [record], the 15 back in the 2004/05 season where Chelsea hardly conceded a goal.

Man City are currently top of the table (Photo: Getty)

‘A week later, I’ve watched a team literally take them apart and it wasn’t a fluke. [David] Raya produced two or three great saves in the game. They’ve literally taken on the champions and outplayed them all over the pitch and it was extraordinary to witness.’

It is of course a long season, and Brighton’s youthful squad and European fixtures may slow down their progress, but Cascarino believes a title challenge cannot be ruled out.

‘They’re the youngest team in the Premier League . Can they mature during the season?’ the former Republic of Ireland striker questioned.

‘But they have got such a flair about them, it’s eye-catching, unreal. What they’re doing, the movement of their players, how they create chances, the intensity of their play is unbelievable.

‘If they weren’t Brighton and named Manchester United or Man City or Arsenal, you’ll be going they’re definitely title challengers. I don’t want to over egg it because there are lots of ifs in there but an incredible watch.

‘I think [Mikel] Arteta will be absolutely delighted he’s got a three week break to get some players back and rethink what happened in that game.

‘He’ll move on extremely quickly from that. He said it in his press conference, “full credit to Brighton”. He would have been shell shocked as well.’