‘I think it’s going to be very difficult’: Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard admits title is ‘GONE’ after shock 3-0 loss to Brighton… with Man City now one win away from retaining crown
- Arsenal crumbled after suffering a shock home defeat on Sunday afternoon
- Manchester City can win the league before kicking a ball again next weekend
- The gap is now four points with Arsenal still having two games to play this season
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has thrown in the towel in the title race after his side were beaten 3-0 at home to Brighton.
After seeing Manchester City extend their lead atop the Premier League to four points with a resounding victory at Everton, the Gunners’ Championship dreams were left in tatters as Julio Enciso, Deniz Undav and Pervis Estupinan scored three goals in second period to leave. Arsenal on their knees.
Events on Sunday mean City, who have a game in hand, will retain the title if the Gunners fail to win at Forest on Saturday.
After the defeat, skipper Odegaard was asked if his championship hopes were over, and he replied: “Yeah, that’s how it is.” I think it’s going to be very difficult to be honest. So yeah, it’s hard to take.
It’s not a good feeling at the moment, especially the way we played in the second half. It’s a big, big disappointment and yes, there is no hope now.
Martin Odegaard admitted it ‘seems’ the Premier League title is gone for Arsenal
The Gunners stumbled to a 3-0 home loss to Brighton on Sunday but ended their title hopes
Brighton sparked a riot at the Emirates, leading Odegaard to suggest ‘there is ‘no hope’ Arsenal can win the title
After match manager Mikel Arteta apologized to the club’s supporters and also admitted that his side’s chances of overtaking City were effectively over.
“Mathematically it’s still possible, and that’s football, but today it’s impossible to think about it,” said the Spaniard.
“We have to digest the result first, the second-half performance, to try to understand why – and obviously have a very different reaction in the next game.”
“We have to apologize because the performance we had in the second half is not acceptable.”
Arsenal have won just two of their last seven Premier League games, a run that has seen City overtake them at the top of the table.
And while Arteta defends his players, he suggested tough conversations are needed while also implying that the club is going to get significantly stronger if they are to continue competing in the Premier League and Champions League.
“The team is also able to show its face, of course there are things to sort out,” Arteta said.
“When it comes to the biggest scene, there are a lot of things that we have to analyze. After this home defeat, I think you have to do the analysis for yourself first before looking at who whatever else and that’s what I have to do.
“We can’t apologize, we have to look individually first and on Tuesday we can talk about it.”
Odegaard, who apologized to Arsenal fans who stayed on full-time, was unsure why the Gunners capitulated
The title can now be decided before City hit the ball again with Arsenal against Nottingham Forest next week
