While not yet proven mathematically, the looks on the faces of Arsenal’s players at the end of Sunday’s 3-0 loss to Brighton made it clear they knew the Premier League title race was over.

This game felt like Arsenal’s last chance club. They still hope for an unlikely scenario for City’s remaining three games, but a win is a must if they want to stay in the game.

Instead they succumbed to Brighton scored three goals in the second half Step up their fairytale efforts to secure European football next season.

The defeat means Arsenal are four points behind leaders Manchester City with just two games remaining. Pep Guardiola’s side know victory over Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium next Sunday means the title will once again be theirs.

“It’s going to be very difficult now and we have to be honest. It’s hard to take,” Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard told Sky Sports.

“It doesn’t feel right at the moment. The way we play, especially in the second half. I don’t know what’s going on, to be honest.

“It feels like there’s no hope now.”

Arteta sorry for ‘unacceptable’ performance

Arsenal were better in the first half as ex-Brighton striker Leandro Trossard hit the crossbar, but Julio Enciso gave the Seagulls the lead six minutes into the second and the Gunners Teams are going from bad to worse as they realize they have a chance to stay in the game and the title race is rapidly dwindling.

Substitute Deniz Udav saved a deflected clearance four minutes later to keep Arsenal from winning, while Perves Estupinan added salt deep into the wound in stoppage time.

By then, many Arsenal fans had left, believing that any hope of winning a first Premier League title since 2004 had all but vanished.

“We have to apologize for the performance in the second half. It was unacceptable,” said Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.

“Mathematically, it’s still possible, but it’s impossible to think about now. We need to digest the results and performances in the second half, understand why and react differently.”

‘The past few weeks have been too much for Arsenal’

Earlier in the day, Manchester City comfortably Beat Everton 3-0 Extend their winning streak in the Premier League to 11 games at Goodison Park.

Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville believes it was the result of a psychological blow to the Arsenal players ahead of their own game.

“I think so [the title race] It’s done,” said the Sky Sports pundit.

“On paper it was a tough game for City, but they stuck with it and it had an effect on those Arsenal players.

“The last few weeks have been too much for them. This moment always comes when Arsenal find it difficult and they can’t get through it.”

April started with a 4-1 win over Leeds United that put Arsenal eight points clear at the top of the Premier League, but ended the month with a loss by the same scoreline to Manchester City, with Pep Guardiola’s side dominating.

April also saw them drop two two-goal leads – Liverpool and West Ham – and trail Southampton 2-0 at home after just 14 minutes.

Those dropped points turned out to be pivotal and former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira believes the Gunners need more leaders to help them through these difficult moments.

“You want to lead, and he [Martin Odegaard] Has been a technical leader on the field, but they lack a physical leader, a leader who can stand behind players when they’re not doing well,” he said.

“They need a more competitive team. You look at City’s physicality, they are bigger and stronger than Arsenal.

“It’s up to Mikel [Arteta] Solve this problem in the summer. “

A huge summer coming?

Arsenal have been at the top of the table for most of the season, so understandably, many of their fans will now be hurt by the missed chances.

But still much progress has been made, with Arteta’s side returning to the Champions League for the first time in six years.

“Arsenal don’t have the quality and depth of Manchester City,” said former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane. “They’re short. It’s as simple as that.

“They need to find the right players with the right character so that if they get this position again, pole position, they will have a chance to see it through.”

With two games left in the season before a huge summer start, Arsenal will be looking to recruit the right players to ensure they are better equipped to overcome the obstacles they face this season.