ARSENAL’S Premier League title hopes suffered what will surely be a fatal blow as Brighton came to the Emirates and delivered a brilliant performance en route to a sensational 3-0 victory.
Manchester City’s earlier on Sunday meant it was all or nothing for the Gunners but they were unable to rise to the occasion against a Brighton side that responded emphatically to their humiliation at the hands of the Toffees earlier this week.
In a feisty encounter that simmered throughout, Julio Enciso struck the first blow when he nodded in Pervis Estupinan’s cross from just yards out after being left unmarked by Jakub Kiwior, who inexplicably went down after feeling a boot on his ankle as Brighton swarmed on his own goal.
The Seagulls then toyed with their hosts, who saw Mikel Arteta booked for dissent as they grew increasingly frustrated, and delivered the knockout punch when Deniz Undav punished former Brighton forward Leandro Trossard’s loose pass by lobbing Aaron Ramsdale.
Estupinan then added a third when he followed up Ramsdale’s weak save by prodding home the rebound and sparking wild celebrations on the south coast – and in Manchester.
With Arsenal attempting to hang onto City’s coattails and Brighton eyeing a Europa League spot, both sides knew the importance of claiming victory, and the tone was set within five minutes when Gabriel Martinelli smashed into Kaoru Mitoma.
Moises Caicedo gained retribution moments later with a lunging tackle on the Arsenal forward, with both offences somehow not being punished by a yellow card.
Martinelli had to be replaced following Caicedo’s tackle, with Trossard coming on to replace him amid a chorus of boos from the travelling supporters.
The Belgian almost silenced them when he clipped a shot against the bar, while Brighton went close when Ramsdale tipped over Enciso’s shot after a sweeping move.
Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka dragged shots wide and Jason Steele saved from Gabriel Jesus, but the Seagulls had the standout chance of the first half when Enciso skied a shot despite Ramsdale lying prone after superb work by Mitoma.
Enciso did find the back of the net just after half-time, though, nodding in Estupinan’s cross to increase the heat on Arteta and his side on a sunny afternoon in north London.
The Arsenal boss had been ticking all afternoon and went into the book after one outburst too many, with the reality beginning to dawn that this was the day on which their dreams of a first Premier League title in 19 years would be extinguished.
Danny Welbeck and Alexis Mac Allister went close to doubling Brighton’s lead as they turned the screw on their hosts, with Arsenal unable to shake the impressive visitors from their groove.
Reiss Nelson was summoned from the bench and almost scored with his first touch but there would be no repeat of his heroics against Bournemouth in this stadium earlier this season.
Undav then punished Trossard’s mistake with a delicate chip over Ramsdale that prompted De Zerbi to charge towards the corner flag in celebration.
The Brighton boss then produced a knee slide along his technical area as Estupinan crowned a remarkable win that moves his side up to sixth and within touching distance of Europe.
