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Arsenal’s hope of landing their first premier league title over two decades slipped through their hands after they lost against Brighton on Sunday.
The Gunners were humiliated 3-0 at home by European contenders Brighton & Hove Albion. Longtime league leaders Arsenal knew only a victory would do as tenacious Manchester City won at Everton in the early kickoff to pull four points ahead.
With games remaining against the clubs in front of them, the outcome also propelled Brighton up to sixth place. Leandro Trossard, a former Brighton forward for Arsenal, hit the crossbar in the opening period, but after Enciso’s goal in the 51st minute and following Undav’s lob over Aaron Ramsdale in the 86th, Arsenal appeared defeated.
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To the pleasure of Brighton’s supporters, who may soon be watching the club’s maiden foray into European play, Estupinan put an end to Arsenal’s suffering in stoppage time.
Arsenal’s fifth league loss has left them with 81 points with two games left, compared to City’s 85 points with three games left.
Pep Guardiola’s team needs to beat Chelsea on Sunday to clinch City’s fifth title in six seasons. In the event that Arsenal loses to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, City might even win it before then. With four games left, Brighton has 58 points.
“Yeah, it looks difficult now, to be honest, we have to be realistic. I don’t think City are going to do too many mistakes now,” Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard said.
“It is not a good feeling at the moment. The way we played, particularly in the second half, I don’t know what happened, to be honest. It feels like there is no hope now.”
There was a hint of resignation in the air among Arsenal’s fans as they streamed towards the Emirates Stadium after hearing of Manchester City’s earlier 3-0 victory at Everton — an 11th successive league win for City.