Arsenal V Brighton: Pictures

Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte was quick to react after Arsenal’s 3-0 defeat at home to Brighton on Sunday, the same day that Pep Guardiola’s outfit won 3-0 at Everton. The Gunners’ defeat ensured that City have one hand on the title and need just one more win from their last three games to become champions for the sixth time in seven years.

Goals from Julio Encisco, Deniz Undav and Pervis Estupinan ensured that Arsenal’s title bid took a major blow as they now sit four points behind Manchester City and have played a game more than the reigning champions.

With just two games remaining, Arsenal will now need to win out and hope that City falter in their three fixtures to end the season. The leaders have the opportunity to be crowned champions in their next Premier League game at home to Chelsea on Sunday.

Shortly after Arsenal’s defeat to Brighton was confirmed, Laporte took to Twitter as he posted a GIF of Dwayne Johnson saying “mmmmmmmmm I can smell it” in regards to how close the Spaniard’s side are to winning another title.

Arsenal’s captain Martin Odegaard even admitted that his side’s title hopes ended with the defeat by Brighton. “Yeah it feels like that [whether the title is over],” he told Sky Sports. “It is going to be very difficult now we have to be honest. It is tough to take. 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.

“In the first half we did a lot of good things and had moments to create big chances but we gave them more and more momentum in the second half. We wanted to come here and continue like we have in the last two games, get a good result and keep pushing. It is a big disappointment.

“I don’t think mentality was an issue. We were good going into the game but in the game was a different story and we have to accept it and learn from it.”

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