Brighton obviously did not read the script as they came to the Emirate Staduim to put title-chasing Arsenal to the sword and ultimately end their slim hope of winning the 2022/23 EPL.
Brighton & Hove Albion, a potential European challenger, humiliated Arsenal 3-0 at home. As tenacious Manchester City won at Everton in the early kickoff to surge ahead by four points, longtime league champions Arsenal knew only a victory would do.
The result also moved Brighton up to sixth position with games left against the teams ahead of them. Leandro Trossard, a forward for Arsenal who was formerly a member of Brighton, struck the crossbar in the opening period, but after Enciso’s goal in the 51st and Undav’s lob over Aaron Ramsdale in the 86th, Arsenal seemed to be outmatched.
Estupinan ended Arsenal’s misery in stoppage time, much to the delight of Brighton’s fans, who may soon be watching the club’s first venture into European action. With two games remaining, Arsenal has 81 points after their sixth league loss, whereas City has 85 points with three games remaining.
City need to defeat Chelsea on Sunday in order to win its fifth championship in as many years. Alternatively, Man City may even win it before Arsenal if they lose to Nottingham Forest on Saturday. Brighton has 58 points with four games remaining.
“Yeah, it looks difficult now, to be honest, we have to be realistic. I don’t think City are going to do too many mistakes now,” Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard said.
“It is not a good feeling at the moment. The way we played, particularly in the second half, I don’t know what happened, to be honest. It feels like there is no hope now.”
There was a hint of resignation in the air among Arsenal’s fans as they streamed towards the Emirates Stadium after hearing of Manchester City’s earlier 3-0 victory at Everton — an 11th successive league win for City.
