Brighton are on the brink of a European comeback against Arsenal’s title hopes with a 3-0 win at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
[ MORE: How to watch Premier League in USA ]
The defeat leaves Arsenal (81 points – second place) four points behind Manchester City as two-time Premier League champions with three games to go. A home win against Chelsea next Sunday (11 a.m. ET) would make it three consecutive PL titles for Manchester City – and if Arsenal win, they’ll stay in the hunt for the trophy on Saturday.
Three more points move Brighton (58 points) into 6th place and into next season’s Europa League. The Seagulls are one point ahead of Tottenham and Aston Villa with two games to go. Liverpool, who are in 5th place, have played one more game so far and are sitting on four points.
ARSENAL vs BRIGHTON FULL MATCH REVIEW
Brighton were slow out of the gates, scoring just one shot in the opening half-hour before Roberto Di Zerbi’s side found their footing and began to push back. The tide began to turn at the 35-minute mark, and indeed it was Brighton who broke the deadlock shortly after the break.
For the beautiful possessions on display, a cross that headed home from six yards was devastating. Pervis Estupina’s cross cleared the near-post defender and Julio Inchison easily headed home Aaron Ramsdale in the six-yard box.
The second goal was scored in the 87th minute as Arsenal made extensive changes and pressed for an equaliser. A poor gift turned into a quick transition period for the Premier League’s leading transition team. In the end, Denise Undav’s cross over Ramsdale fell to the ground and was wheeled out on the way to the goal line.
Undav saved the first shot, but the ball went wide of the Ecuadorian international and sent Estupina fans into a frenzy in the 95th minute. Seagulls on a tour of Europe.
End of season slumps have become a theme for Arsenal.
The Gunners held an eight-point lead on April 1 just six weeks ago with nine games remaining (with one more game to play in that time). Since then, Mikel Arteta’s side have gone 2W-3D-2L. Last season they were in the driver’s seat for 4th place and a return to the Champions League, losing 5 of their last 10 games before being held to a crucial point away by rivals Tottenham.
There is no doubt that he has improved in terms of scoring this season, going from 69 points to 81 (with two games to go). However, for the second season in a row, eight months of grueling work surrounded the drain, and the mentality of the young side presented another serious problem. Spurs-y.
The stars of the show
Photo: FotMob.com
What’s next?
Arsenal will continue their pursuit of Manchester City next Saturday (12:30 pm ET) when they visit Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. Brighton return to action on Thursday (2.30pm) when they complete their extended game against Newcastle.
Arsenal vs Brighton final score 0-3
51st minute – Julio Encio puts Brighton ahead with a header from close range.
86th minute Deniz Undav beat Aaron Ramsdale 2-0 to end Arsenal’s title hopes.
90th minute +5 – Pervis Estupina added a goal. 3, cherry on top
How to watch Arsenal from Brighton, link and start time
Arsenal returned to winning ways with wins over Chelsea and Newcastle last week, but Mikel Arteta’s side are now without three points from four games, but Mikel Arteta’s side are in contention for the title. Martin Odegaard (15), Gabriel Martinelli (15), Bukayo Saka (13) and Gabriel Jesus (10), who are the second highest goalscorers in the Premier League, do not have four players in double figures this season. Record.
Brighton may not have the numbers to match Arsenal’s firepower, but the Seagulls have all the same free-flowing swagger under Roberto De Zerbi and Graham Potter. However, it was beautiful in the last season as relegation strugglers Everton beat Brighton in five at home in perhaps the most baffling result of the PL season.
Out: Tariq Lamptey (knee), Solly March (thigh), Jeremy Sarmiento (ankle), Adam Lallana (thigh – out for the season), Jakub Moder (knee), Joel Veltman (hamstring).
