(Football news) In a shocking result, Arsenal succumbed to a 3-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium to Brighton, thereby giving Manchester City the opportunity to secure a fifth title in six seasons next weekend. For that to happen, Arsenal will have to lose against Nottingham Forest next Saturday for City to win their third consecutive title, any other result and Pep Guardiola’s team will have the opportunity to lift the trophy in front of their own fans against Chelsea.
Brighton, who were humiliated with a 5-1 defeat to Everton, responded in emphatic fashion, outperforming Arsenal in virtually every area of the pitch. They took the lead when Julio Encisco converted from Pervis Estupinan’s cross in the 51st minute. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was booked for dissent and frustration levels grew at the Emirates Stadium when Denis Undav scored Brighton’s second by lobbing Aaron Ramsdale in the 86th minute.
Estupinan then scored Brighton’s third in the 86th minute, capitalising on Ramsdale’s weak save by converting the rebound. The result means that Brighton now have a very good chance of securing European football and could potentially have an outside chance of qualifying for the Champions League if they win against Newcastle on Thursday. In team news, Arsenal made just one change with Kieran Tierney replacing Oleksandr Zinchenko at left back. Brighton made four changes with Levi Colwill, Billy Gilmour, Julio Enciso and Evan Ferguson replacing Adam Webster, Deniz Undav, Facundo Buonanotte and Danny Welbeck.
Speaking after the match, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said “Today we have to apologise because the performance that we had in the second half is not acceptable. Mathematically it is still possible and this is football, but it is impossible to be thinking about that today. We have to be thinking about the result and the performance we had in the second half and understand why and obviously have a different reaction in the next game.
“We concede a goal when they are really direct in behind and from there the team had no reaction. Obviously, when you give the silly goal away, the second one, then the team collapsed. The team had no answers. You have to do a lot of good things, incredible things, to be second in this league over the last 10 months but if this team is able to show that face as well, for sure, there are things that have to be addressed.”
Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi said “I am very delighted for the performance. We deserved to win. I’m really proud because the last five days were very difficult after the defeat on Monday. Today we showed our passion. We showed we are serious people. My players showed they are great people. I can decide how I can lose, not how I can win. I want to lose playing this style. I want to lose playing with this courage, to try to command the game. Sometimes you can lose but it’s my style and my idea. The players are with me in this idea. They are showing they believe in my idea.”
Also read: Mahmoud Dahoud joins Brighton on a free transfer in a surprise move
