Brighton smashed to smithereens Arsenal hopes to clinch the Premier League title in Premier League matchday 36.
Encisco, Undav, and Estupinan gunned down Arsenal’s hopes to catch up with Manchester City at the top with three unreplied goals.
It was a loss so unexpected and could be regarded as Arsenal worst stumble throughout this campaign.
From the start, Arsenal lost their bearing against the Seagulls struggling to have a firm control of the game. Brighton fought like wounded lions struggling to return to winning ways after suffering a heavy 5-1 defeat in the hands of Sean Dyche’s Everton.
Against all odds, they earned a deserved three points and three goals against the Gunners at Emirates – an unlikely of results.
Mikel Arteta’s tactical plan seem to have shattered early in the first half when Gabriel Martinelli was forced off the game just in the 14th minute after a challenge with Moises Caicedo.
Speaking after the game in a post-match press conference, Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, apologized to Arsenal fans for the shock home defeat against Brighton which doomed the team’s Premier League title hopes.
Mikel Arteta said he could not put up with the feelings of letting the Gunners fans down after they had hanged on in the Premier League title race from the start of the season.
Despite securing a second position on the table, Arteta added it will take him sometimes to digest the feeling of having lost out on the race.
The former Manchester City assistant manager and Arsenal legendary player blamed himself for the defeat to Brighton, saying it was his responsibility to bring out the best from his players which he failed against the Seagulls.
“I hate the feeling of letting people down when they are expecting something. That’s the biggest regret and I have to apologize for that.
“Second position is secure and that is not going to change but this result is going to take me a few days to digest.
“My job is to get the best out of every single player and obviously today I didn’t do that, so it’s my responsibility.”
Arsenal captain, Martin Oddegard says title race is over
Arsenal captain, Martin Oddegard, who has been instrumental to Arsenal’s attempt on the title race admitted the club is out of the Premier League title race after the defeat to Brighton.
Speaking after the game, Oddegard said;
“We have to be honest, it’s going to be very difficult now. It’s a big disappointment and tough to take.”
Is Premier League title hopes over for Arsenal?
After hanging on the title race for 10 months, Arsenal appeared to have down tools when they recorded three consecutive draws against Liverpool, West Ham, and Southampton before a heavy defeat to Manchester City.
The four games was a turning point in the Premier League title race.
Nevertheless, the Gunners were still in contention but hoped Manchester City will stumble in their next games.
After the loss to Brighton, Manchester City will be crowned Premier League champions irrespective of Arsenal results in the next two games.