Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge was officially ended on Saturday, with a 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest sealing their fate and handing the trophy to Man City.
Arsenal’s quest to win a first Premier League title for 19 years ended in disappointment on Saturday, with Nottingham Forest beating the Gunners 1-0 to hand the title to Man City.
Mikel Arteta’s side were eight points ahead in the title race at one stage, but they have been reeled in relentlessly by Man City. Pep Guardiola’s side have gone unbeaten in 23 matches in all competitions, with the Gunners winning just three of their last eight matches in the league.
Saturday’s loss to Forest was the latest in a succession of disappointing defeats, with attentions now turning to the summer transfer window and Arteta’s attempts to take the fight to City once again next season.
The Gunners have just one game left in the season, with a home match against Wolves on the final day for the fans to see their team once more before the summer. Arsenal’s staff and players have reacted in varying ways to the day’s events, with the Gunners having to watch City lift the trophy on Sunday afternoon as they host Chelsea.
Here is a round-up of all the reaction from Saturday’s defeat.
Emotional Mikel Arteta makes honest admission
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta congratulated Manchester City for retaining the title – and then apologised for failing to get the Gunners over the line.
The Londoners’ slim hopes of preventing Pep Guardiola’s men from claiming a third successive Premier League crown were destroyed by relegation battlers Nottingham Forest.
Taiwo Awoniyi’s first-half strike secured the victory that keeps Steve Cooper’s men in the top-flight – and plunged Arteta into hell. The emotional Spaniard said: “Congratulations to Manchester City, they are the champions and they deserve to be champions for what they have done over 38 games. But this is a very sad day for us because we thought we could go all the way and fell short.
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Aaron Ramsdale shares Arsenal dressing room reaction
Aaron Ramsdale says Arsenal will reflect on this season with pride once the overwhelming feeling of disappointment has subsided.
The Gunners were beaten 1-0 by Nottingham Forest on Saturday evening, meaning Manchester City have been crowned Premier League champions. City will lift the trophy after their home game against Chelsea on Sunday at the Etihad Stadium.
Arsenal were top for the majority of the season but have taken just nine points from their past eight matches, while City have steamrollered their way to 11 straight wins. Ramsdale has been a key player for Mikel Arteta’s side, who are now guaranteed to finish second, and he gave an insight into the reaction following the defeat at the City Ground.
Jorginho lets anger show as Arsenal collapse
Arsenal star Jorginho let his anger boil over as the Gunners saw their title hopes dashed in defeat to Nottingham Forest – with Bukayo Saka feeling his wrath.
The North London side saw their fleeting hopes of the Premier League crown ended in miserable fashion at the City Ground. Premier League Player of the Season nominee Martin Odegaard gifted the ball to Morgan Gibbs-White in midfield for the all-important goal.
The former Wolverhampton Wanderers man trotted forwards before playing in Taiwo Awoniyi, whose shot took a slight touch off Gabriel before nestling into the back of the net. Even away from the goal, there were signs that the Gunners were struggling.
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