Arsenal’s hopes of clinching the Premier League title suffered a devastating blow as they succumbed to a defeat against Brighton, leaving Manchester City on the verge of securing their fifth league title in six seasons.
Following City’s commanding 3-0 victory over Everton earlier in the day, Arsenal found themselves trailing by four points in the title race and in desperate need of a response.
The final whistle saw Arsenal’s players drop to their knees, the realization sinking in that their dreams of clinching the title were all but shattered, having been outmaneuvered by Brighton.
It proved to be an exasperating day for Arsenal, as former player Leandro Trossard came agonizingly close to scoring against his former club, with both Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka also threatening. However, Brighton took the lead through Julio Enciso’s close-range header.
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Brighton’s substitute, Deniz Undav, compounded Arsenal’s misery by lobbing Aaron Ramsdale in the 86th minute to double their lead. Pervis Estupinan then added insult to injury by securing Brighton’s third goal in the 96th minute.
If Manchester City triumph over Chelsea at home next Sunday , they will clinch the Premier League title in front of their own fans. Even if Arsenal defeat Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Saturday, City will still be crowned champions.
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Alternatively, if Arsenal suffer a loss against Forest on Saturday, City will secure the title without even playing. This scenario would officially confirm City as champions before their match against Chelsea.
The game itself was marred by a series of contentious challenges, leading to Arsenal’s Brazilian forward, Gabriel Martinelli, being forced off with an injury in the first half following a foul by Brighton’s Ecuadorian midfielder, Moises Caicedo. Interestingly, Arsenal had attempted to sign Caicedo in January.
Brighton, who are chasing a European qualification spot for the first time in their history, had already threatened with Enciso before the 19-year-old Paraguayan forward stunned the Emirates Stadium with his goal in the 51st minute.
This victory propelled Brighton above both Aston Villa and Tottenham into sixth place, accumulating 58 points, four points behind fifth-placed Liverpool, with an additional game in hand.
Arsenal’s maximum achievable points tally now stands at 87, while City has 85 points with fixtures against Chelsea (home), Brighton (away), and Brentford (away) still to be played.