Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard admitted there is 'no hope' for the Gunners in their quest to win the Premier League title after Sunday's shock 3-0 defeat to Brighton.
Goals from Julio Enciso, Deniz Undav and Pervis Estupinan handed Arsenal a crushing defeat which leaves them four points behind leaders Manchester City, who still have one game in hand - coincidentally against Brighton on May 24.
City can secure the title before then, however, with three points at home against Chelsea on Sunday enough to get the job done.
"Yeah, it feels like [the title chase is over]," a dejected Odegaard 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.
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“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.”
Before the game, goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale confessed that he had been surprised by the pressure Arsenal found themselves under courtesy of City.
“I thought it would’ve been more plain sailing, if I’m honest," Ramsdale reflected on the title race. "I thought after so many wins throughout the season, you could probably relax. It’s been enjoyable, but I thought it would be more easy on day to day, but the pressure has been quite high.”
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On this edition of The Chronicles of a Gooner, part of the 90min podcast network, Harry Symeou reflects on Arsenal's 3-0 defeat to Brighton & what it means for the Premier League title race.
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This article was originally published on 90min as Martin Odegaard all but concedes Premier League title after Arsenal collapse.