But Arsenal do not have the luxury of time to adapt, with Chelsea and United breathing down their necks, and it looked as though they understood that after the interval. They stretched Brighton’s defence, which grew sloppy, and Le Tissier’s foul on Mead gave them the breakthrough.

Mead’s free-kick swung through to Miedema, who equalised with ease. Minutes later, they took the lead, Mead winning another free-kick and curling it into the top-left corner of the goal.

Eidevall was disappointed with Arsenal’s composure in parts of the first half, but said Mead’s goal was a “big moment”. He added: “It was an impressive second half. It is all about how you react in those moments. We are building, and something good is coming.”

Match details

Arsenal (4-3-3): Zinsberger; Maritz, Williamson (Wubben-Moy 65), Souza, Wienroither; Walti (Maanum 82), Nobbs, Little; Heath (Parris 77), Miedema, Mead; Subs not used: Sorensen, Cull, Head

Brighton (4-2-3-1): Walsh; Koivisto, Kerkdijk, Williams, Kullberg; Le Tissier, Connolly (Whelan 21); Brazil, Kaagman, Olme (Simpkins 70); Carter (Green 70); Subs not used: Gibbons, Bowman, Bance, Symonds, Startup; Bookings: Brazil, Le Tissier, Williams

Attendance: 1617

Referee: Kirsty Dowle