Mikel Arteta publicly blasts his players after embarrassing defeat to Brighton

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has sent a stern warning to his players after their 0-3 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday at the Emirates Stadium. The loss has almost ended their Premier League title chase, leaving them four points behind Manchester City with only two games left to play.

Arteta was visibly disappointed with his team’s performance and did not mince his words when speaking to reporters after the game. “You cannot do what we did in the second half,” he said. “If the team is capable of doing that when it comes to the biggest stage, there are a lot of things we have to think about and analyze.”

LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 14: Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal looks dejected during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Emirates Stadium on May 14, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

The defeat was particularly painful for Arsenal as they had been hoping to win this match to keep their Premier League title hopes alive ahead of the two final games of the season.

The first half was a cagey affair with both teams struggling to create clear-cut chances. However, Brighton took the lead early in the second half through Pervis Estupinan’s volleyed cross which was headed in by Julio Enciso from close range.

Arsenal tried to respond but were unable to find a way past Brighton goalkeeper who made several important saves. The visitors then doubled their lead in the 86th minute through Deniz Undav’s well-placed shot after Pascal Gross won the ball high up the pitch.

Brighton then put the game beyond doubt in stoppage time when Estupinan scored his first Premier League goal with a powerful shot from outside the box.

LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 14: Eddie Nkeitah of Arsenal takes on Moises Caicedo of Brighton during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Emirates Stadium on May 14, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

The defeat leaves Arsenal with little chance of winning their first Premier League title since 2004. They are currently second on the table with 81 points after 36 games but are closely following Manchester City who have 85 points plus one game in hand.

Arteta will be hoping that his players can bounce back quickly and end the season on a high note. However, he will need to address the issues that led to their defeat against Brighton if they are to have any chance of winning silverware in the future.