Arsenal Premier League title hopes have suffered a heavy blow as they suffer a shock home defeat to Brighton at Emirates.
Arsenal headed into the game looking to complete a double against Brighton for the second time in the club's history.
They won the reverse fixture in December and were in good shape to take on the Seagulls.
A lot was at stake in the game. Premier League leaders, Manchester City, had extended their lead on the Premier League summit to four points after a win over Everton at Goodison Park in the early kick off.
With just three matches left for the Gunners to wrap up the season, they needed nothing less from a win against the Roberto de Zerbi-led side to stay in the title race.
But it was an uphill task for the Gunners based on the stats between the two teams. Despite suffering a shock defeat to Everton in their last game, Brighton have been a thorn in the flesh of big teams in the Premier League this season.
Besides, the Seagulls seemed to fare better against the Gunners on away games. They have won three of their last four visits to the Emirates in all competitions.
Starting Lineup
Arsenal: Aaron Ramsdale; Ben White, Jakub Kiwior, Gabriel Magalhaes, Kieran Tierney; Granit Xhaka, Jorginho, Martin Odegaard; Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli.
Brighton: Jason Steele; Pascal Gross, Lewis Dunk, Levi Colwill, Pervis Estupinan; Billy Gilmour, Moises Caicedo; Julio Enciso, Alexis Mac Allister, Kaoru Mitoma; Evan Ferguson.
It was brilliant start from both sides. Arsenal got the game on the way with their usual high press and attacking flair.
After trailing the defending champions, Manchester City by four points at the top, the Gunners needed to round the Seagulls and reduce the deficit again to a point.
The Gunners made some attempts to find an early goal but Brighton were equal to the task with their brick-wall defense.
Martinelli delivered an inswinging corner towards the near post in the 5th minute but it was cleared by the visitors.
Bukayo Saka's attempted shot on goal was blocked too as Brighton pull up in the defense to counter Arsenal pressure.
It was still barren but Arsenal were the better side early in the first half as Brighton rally all their players to defend.
Brighton began to emerge into the game with full force from the 14th minute. It was a sharp and drastic flip that saw the visitors begin to dominate proceedings going forward.
Arsenal were dealt a further tactical blow in the 20th minute when Gabriel Martinelli was substituted prematurely with Leandro Trossard coming on in his place.
Martinelli clashed with Moises Caicedo and was unable to continue with the game before he was subbed off.
Brighton continued to dominate proceedings but were not able to find the back of the net till the end of the first half. Nevertheless, the visitors went into the first-half break as the better side.
The Seagulls still got a better of Arsenal as the second half kicked off and were finally rewarded in the 51st minute for bossing the game on the home side.
Encisco gave the spirited visitors a deserved lead after he headed home Brighton's opener from Estupinan's cross.
The goal was a deadly blow to Arsenal Premier League title hopes. Arsenal quickly ramped up attempts to find an equaliser but it was a futile effort.
Brighton hanged to the lead with rigorous and determined effort. With few minutes to the end of the game, it was Brighton closing in on a win as Arsenal scrambles for an equaliser.
Both sides made late substitutions. Arsenal were fast running out of time to stay in the title race and needed a last minute moment of magic to turn the game around.
Just when the Gunners were hoping for one of their usual late comebacks, Brighton substitute, Undav dealt the home a fatal blow with an 86th-minute goal to seal the win.
It was indeed a game over and likely end to their Premier League title hopes.
Estupinan further deepened Arsenal woes in stoppage-time to make it 3-0 after the final whistle.
Brighton ran out 3-0 winners after the final whistle to hand Manchester City a cleared route to the Premier League trophy should they win their next game.
Arsenal headed into the game looking to complete a double against Brighton for the second time in the club's history.
They won the reverse fixture in December and were in good shape to take on the Seagulls.
A lot was at stake in the game. Premier League leaders, Manchester City, had extended their lead on the Premier League summit to four points after a win over Everton at Goodison Park in the early kick off.
With just three matches left for the Gunners to wrap up the season, they needed nothing less from a win against the Roberto de Zerbi-led side to stay in the title race.
But it was an uphill task for the Gunners based on the stats between the two teams. Despite suffering a shock defeat to Everton in their last game, Brighton have been a thorn in the flesh of big teams in the Premier League this season.
Besides, the Seagulls seemed to fare better against the Gunners on away games. They have won three of their last four visits to the Emirates in all competitions.
Starting Lineup
Arsenal: Aaron Ramsdale; Ben White, Jakub Kiwior, Gabriel Magalhaes, Kieran Tierney; Granit Xhaka, Jorginho, Martin Odegaard; Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli.
Brighton: Jason Steele; Pascal Gross, Lewis Dunk, Levi Colwill, Pervis Estupinan; Billy Gilmour, Moises Caicedo; Julio Enciso, Alexis Mac Allister, Kaoru Mitoma; Evan Ferguson.
It was brilliant start from both sides. Arsenal got the game on the way with their usual high press and attacking flair.
After trailing the defending champions, Manchester City by four points at the top, the Gunners needed to round the Seagulls and reduce the deficit again to a point.
The Gunners made some attempts to find an early goal but Brighton were equal to the task with their brick-wall defense.
Martinelli delivered an inswinging corner towards the near post in the 5th minute but it was cleared by the visitors.
Bukayo Saka's attempted shot on goal was blocked too as Brighton pull up in the defense to counter Arsenal pressure.
It was still barren but Arsenal were the better side early in the first half as Brighton rally all their players to defend.
Brighton began to emerge into the game with full force from the 14th minute. It was a sharp and drastic flip that saw the visitors begin to dominate proceedings going forward.
Arsenal were dealt a further tactical blow in the 20th minute when Gabriel Martinelli was substituted prematurely with Leandro Trossard coming on in his place.
Martinelli clashed with Moises Caicedo and was unable to continue with the game before he was subbed off.
Brighton continued to dominate proceedings but were not able to find the back of the net till the end of the first half. Nevertheless, the visitors went into the first-half break as the better side.
The Seagulls still got a better of Arsenal as the second half kicked off and were finally rewarded in the 51st minute for bossing the game on the home side.
Encisco gave the spirited visitors a deserved lead after he headed home Brighton's opener from Estupinan's cross.
The goal was a deadly blow to Arsenal Premier League title hopes. Arsenal quickly ramped up attempts to find an equaliser but it was a futile effort.
Brighton hanged to the lead with rigorous and determined effort. With few minutes to the end of the game, it was Brighton closing in on a win as Arsenal scrambles for an equaliser.
Both sides made late substitutions. Arsenal were fast running out of time to stay in the title race and needed a last minute moment of magic to turn the game around.
Just when the Gunners were hoping for one of their usual late comebacks, Brighton substitute, Undav dealt the home a fatal blow with an 86th-minute goal to seal the win.
It was indeed a game over and likely end to their Premier League title hopes.
Estupinan further deepened Arsenal woes in stoppage-time to make it 3-0 after the final whistle.
Brighton ran out 3-0 winners after the final whistle to hand Manchester City a cleared route to the Premier League trophy should they win their next game.