Mikel Arteta apologises for unacceptable Arsenal ‘collapse’ against Brighton

LONDON – Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta began Sunday still hopeful that his side could yet wrest the English Premier League title from Manchester City, but ended it apologising to the club’s fans.

A 3-0 home drubbing at the hands of an excellent Brighton & Hove Albion, shortly after City dispatched Everton by the same score, all but extinguished Arsenal’s dream.

It all felt hugely anti-climactic, with thousands of Gunners fans having already headed for home with Brighton 2-0 ahead, thanks to second-half goals by Julio Enciso and Deniz Undav.

And when Pervis Estupinan made it 3-0 in stoppage time, it all felt rather embarrassing for Arsenal, who led the table for large swathes of the season but have buckled over the last six weeks.

“A week ago, I was standing here feeling proud and today we have to apologise for the performance in the second half. It was not acceptable,” Arteta told Sky Sports.

“Mathematically, (the title) it’s still possible, but today it’s impossible to think about it. We need to digest the performance in the second half, understand why and have a different reaction.”

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, too, accepted that the title race is as good as over.

“Yeah it feels like that. It is going to be very difficult now... It is tough to take,” said the Norwegian.

“It is not a good feeling... 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... I don’t think mentality was an issue.”

When Arsenal beat Leeds United 4-1 on April 1, they were eight points clear of City and in control of the title race, though they had played a game more than Pep Guardiola’s side. Since then, however, they have managed just two wins from seven games.

Arsenal have made huge strides this season, having come fifth last term, but a glum Arteta could find few positives after his side’s second-half capitulation against Brighton.

City’s win at Everton in a game which had looked a potential banana skin for Guardiola’s side, flattened the mood even before kick-off and Arsenal’s display, especially in the second half, was arguably their worst of the season.

“(City’s win) cannot be the way to justify what happened in the second half,” said Arteta.

“The feeling is frustration, that we gave the game away. We fought really hard to be in this position and today was a critical moment to keep hoping.... But you can’t do what we did in the second half.”

Arteta said he has a “lot to think about” over the summer, as next season will see Arsenal juggling the Premier League with the demands of the Champions League.

But for now he needs to pick his side up for Saturday’s clash at Nottingham Forest, when defeat will confirm City as champions. Even if Arsenal win, City need only one win from their three remaining games.

Brighton, meanwhile, are sixth with 58 points from 34 games and are edging closer to securing a place in Europe next season.

“I’m really pleased with the performance, but the season is not finished for us,” said their Italian manager Roberto de Zerbi, who took charge when Graham Potter left for Chelsea in September.

“The 58 points on the table we have are not enough, we are fighting for a big, big target so we have to win more games.”

While they have games in hand over the teams around them, they have some tough fixtures with City, Newcastle United and Aston Villa all still to play, although they also have a home game against relegated Southampton.

“It had been a very tough week after Monday’s result (5-1 loss to Everton), but today we showed character and passion, we showed we are serious people. I am lucky to be the coach of Brighton,” de Zerbi said. REUTERS, AFP