Arsenal's title race runs out of steam in Brighton loss

The loss left the Gunners sitting four points behind leaders and defending champions Manchester City, having played a game more than Pep Guardiola's men.

Brighton were excellent on the day, controlling the ball and playing through Arsenal’s press at will – a press which the Gunners executed reasonably well but was beaten by the quality of Roberto De Zerbi's side.

Ultimately, Arsenal’s dwindling performance during the game sums up the end of the season as a whole, running out of steam at the final moment. 

Injuries and the exhaustion of the season seem to have caught up with Mikel Arteta’s side who had little else to give as the Seagulls added two late goals.

Part of the issue for the Gunners was the inability to retain the ball and use it effectively when they were able to force a Brighton turnover. 

Arsenal ended the game with 75 per cent pass accuracy, the lowest in a game since the 2-2 draw at Anfield, resulting in attacks breaking down before they could ever really start.

The absence of William Saliba and Oleksandr Zinchenko hurt, but these are issues that we’ve had at varying stages this season and one that Arteta will need to figure out within his squad or solve in the transfer market ahead of next season to avoid a repeat of a stumbling finish.

The Gunners have just two games until the end of the season now and with the league title all but gone, all there is to play for is pride. Ending the season on 87 points after two more wins would be a good way to cap an excellent campaign.

Arsenal face Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Saturday evening (5.30pm), with Forest sitting in 16th place, three points above the relegation zone.

Steve Cooper's side go into the game at the City Ground in desperate need of a result to secure their safety, while Arsenal need to win to keep any sort of pressure on City.

But even with a win, the title could be wrapped up on Sunday afternoon if the Citizens beat Chelsea.