Arsenal’s title charge gained serious momentum Saturday as Manchester City’s wheels came off spectacularly at Brighton, the defending champions falling 2-1 to leave themselves six points adrift with their season teetering on the edge.
What started as routine business for Pep Guardiola’s side — Erling Haaland’s 23rd-minute tap-in from Kevin De Bruyne’s cross — turned into a nightmare by full time. Brighton’s second-half blitz through Kaoru Mitoma and Evan Ferguson exposed everything wrong with this City team right now.
The Champions Look Ordinary
Three defeats in five league games tells the story of City’s spectacular collapse. The 89-point pace that had them looking unstoppable in October feels like ancient history now — they’ve managed just seven points from their last five fixtures, getting beaten by Spurs, United, and now a Brighton side that wanted it more.
“We’re not playing with the intensity we showed earlier in the season,” Guardiola admitted, his usual confidence notably absent. “Every team raises their level against us, and we must respond better.”
The Norwegian striker’s 21st league goal should have been the platform for another routine victory. Instead, it became a footnote to City’s latest capitulation. Mitoma’s gorgeous curling effort past Ederson on 67 minutes brought the Amex Stadium alive, and Ferguson’s towering header eight minutes later completed a turnaround that felt inevitable once Brighton found their rhythm.
Roberto De Zerbi’s tactical switch to press higher up the pitch completely disrupted City’s buildup play — exactly the kind of adjustment that used to be Guardiola’s specialty.
Gunners Seize the Moment
Arsenal’s earlier 3-0 stroll past Fulham at Craven Cottage suddenly looked like championship-winning form. Martin Ødegaard’s double and Gabriel Jesus’s first goal since his return from injury moved the Gunners to 63 points — but more importantly, it showed the kind of ruthless finishing that separates title winners from also-rans.
Seven straight league victories represents their longest winning streak since the Invincibles went the entire 2003-04 season unbeaten. The numbers tell the story: 19 goals scored, just three conceded during this run. That’s title-winning form.
“We can only focus on ourselves,” Mikel Arteta said with the kind of calm confidence that’s become his trademark. “But yes, this result helps our confidence. The players know what we’re capable of when we maintain this level.”
What he didn’t say — but every Arsenal fan knows — is that this feels different from previous false dawns.
Newcastle Still Lurking
Don’t sleep on Newcastle. Eight points back might seem insurmountable, but Eddie Howe’s team has a game in hand and just demolished West Ham 4-1 like it was a training session.
Alexander Isak’s hat-trick took his season tally to 15 league goals, and the Swede looked unplayable. With their first title since 1927 within touching distance, the Magpies aren’t going anywhere.
The Toon Army has seen enough false dawns to know better than to get ahead of themselves, but this team has something special brewing on Tyneside.
Top Four Battle Heats Up
Liverpool’s 2-0 Merseyside Derby win over Everton keeps them fourth on 51 points, but Jürgen Klopp’s rebuilding project still looks a year away from seriously challenging for the title. Mohamed Salah’s penalty and Cody Gakpo’s header did the damage, but this is about securing Champions League football rather than silverware.
Tottenham sits two points back after their 1-1 draw with Chelsea — Son Heung-min’s equalizer canceling out Raheem Sterling’s opener. Antonio Conte’s side had the chance to draw level with Liverpool but couldn’t find the killer instinct when it mattered most.
Bottom of the Table Drama
Southampton’s relegation looks a foregone conclusion after their 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest left them seven points from safety. One win in 12 matches — the Saints are sleep-walking toward the Championship.
Leicester’s 2-1 victory over Aston Villa provided crucial breathing room. Jamie Vardy’s 89th-minute winner — vintage stuff from the 36-year-old — lifted the Foxes two points clear of the drop zone. Sometimes experience trumps everything else.
The six-point gap at the top represents Arsenal’s biggest advantage since Liverpool’s dominant 2019-20 campaign. With City facing Arsenal, Liverpool, and Newcastle in their next eight games, this title race might be over sooner than anyone expected.
