Arsenal‘s Premier League title hopes suffered a potentially fatal blow after they lost 3-0 at home to Brighton on Sunday.
Julio Enciso‘s 51st-minute header broke the deadlock before former Brighton striker Leandro Trossard gifted Deniz Undav the chance to double their lead on 86 minutes. As the game went into stoppage-time, Pervis Estupinan added a third as he turned home the rebound after Gunners goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale saved Undav’s long-range effort.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side earned a precious win which keeps their pursuit of European qualification on track while leaving the Gunners’ chances of toppling Manchester City hanging by a thread.
A cagey first half gave way to a more open, freeflowing second period in which Brighton played the better football and Arsenal struggled to replicate the form which had launched an improbably title challenge. Estupinan’s initial cross was intercepted by Kieran Tierney but the Ecuadorian defender scuffed the rebound back across goal where Enciso was unmarked to head home.
As they chased an equaliser, Arsenal attempted to play out from the back but Trossard’s first-time forward pass was intercepted by Pascal Gross and the loose ball fell perfectly for substitute Undav, who lifted a clever finish over Ramsdale.
Arsenal remain four points behind City having played a game more, meaning City will be crowned champions if the Gunners lose at Nottingham Forest next Saturday.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga & more (U.S.)
Rapid reaction
1. Arsenal’s title hopes has surely run its course
That is surely that. Arsenal play again before City but the gap looks too large, the opportunity lost. Beating Newcastle United last weekend appeared to breath fresh life into the title race but Sunday was surely the decisive day as City eased to a 3-0 win at Everton before Arsenal were beaten by the better team and the same scoreline in north London.
Brighton still have to play City but they are already the kingmakers, dealing Arsenal’s title hopes the final, savage blow. Mikel Arteta admitted before the game there would be no way of keeping the City result from his players and perhaps the emphatic scoreline at Goodison Park contributed to a flat display in which they failed to truly rouse themselves even after falling behind.
It will rankle with Arteta that they were unable to take City right to the final week of the season but two wins from their last seven games has proved enough of a wobble to allow Pep Guardiola’s side to surge past them into a near unassailable lead. There were no boos at the final whistle. Thousands of fans had left in disappointment but those who stayed cheered their team. They know how much they have given. But they also now know it won’t quite be enough to win their first Premier League title since 2004.
