Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, started the day believing that his team still had a chance to deny Manchester City the Premier League championship, but he ended it by expressing regret to the team’s supporters.
Arsenal’s hopes were all but dashed as they were humiliated 3-0 at home by a strong Brighton and Hove Albion team, just hours after City defeated Everton by the same score.
Thousands of Arsenal supporters had already left the stadium when Brighton went up 2-0 in the second half thanks to goals from Julio Enciso and Deniz Undav, making the entire situation feel incredibly anticlimactic.
And when Pervis Estupinan made it 3-0 in stoppage time in front of a quickly emptying stadium, it seemed quite embarrassing for Arsenal, who had dominated the standings for much of the season but had faltered over the last six.
“A week ago, I was standing here feeling proud, but now, we must apologize for our second-half performance. The Spanish player Arteta told Sky Sports that it was unacceptable.
Although the statement in the title is still true mathematically, it is now impossible to consider.
“We need to process the outcome and the second-half performance, comprehend why, and respond differently.”
On April 1, eight points ahead of City and in control of the title race, Arsenal defeated Leeds United 4-1.
However, it has only achieved two victories in its previous seven games and was humiliated at City last month.
Arsenal has improved significantly this year after finishing fifth the previous campaign, but a dejected Arteta may not see many advances following his team’s defeat to Brighton in the second half.
Even before the game began, the mood had been dampened by City’s victory at Everton, which had appeared to be a potential banana peel for Pep Guardiola’s team. Arsenal’s performance, particularly in the second half, was possibly its worst of the season.
Arteta told reporters that “(City’s win) cannot be the way to justify what happened in the second half.”
“Frustration is what I’m feeling right now. that we ruined the game. Today was a crucial time to keep hoping and working toward the dream since we fought so hard to get where we are. But what we did in the second half is not something you can do.
Arsenal will balance the Premier League with the demands of the Champions League next season, and Arteta acknowledged he has “a lot to think about” over the summer.
But for now, he must prepare his team for the match at Nottingham Forest the following Saturday, where a loss will crown City winners. Even if Arsenal triumphs, City simply needs one victory from its final three league contests.
When people are anticipating something, Arteta commented, “I hate the feeling of letting them down.” “That is my greatest regret right now. And for that, we must apologize.
