Arsenal's faint hopes of winning this season's Premier League title are all but gone after suffering a crushing 3-0 loss to Brighton on Sunday afternoon.
The north Londoners struggled to deal with the Seagulls' press throughout the match at the Emirates Stadium before three second-half goals from the visitors handed Mikel Arteta's side just their second league loss at home this season. Manchester City now sit four points clear at the top of the table, still to play their game in hand over the Gunners.
After the full-time whistle, national media from across the country reacted in a similar fashion, making it clear that Arsenal were unlikely to end their title drought this term.
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The Mirror singled out the poor performance of Arsenal right-back Ben White, who struggled in his one versus one battle with Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma. "In his sleep tonight, Ben White's hips will turn this way and that before he wakes up at around 2am in a cold sweat," they wrote.
"Only then will he be reassured, mercifully that it really is over. The Kaoru Mitoma nightmare by then will be a distant memory."
The usually reliable Gunners defender was dribbled past twice on Sunday, failing to effectively nullify Mitoma's dribbling threat as the Japanese international turned his marker inside and out when Brighton were in transition. It was potentially White's worst game of the season, with the 25-year-old establishing himself as one of his side's most consistent performers throughout the season.
The Telegraph admitted that it is time for Arsenal fans to accept the reality regarding the title race, with City able to officially confirm champion status next weekend if they defeat Chelsea. "Arsenal’s race is run, and the hope has gone. It is not officially over but even the most optimistic of supporters must now accept the reality of the situation," their piece read.
"A title charge against Manchester City demands perfection and here, at home to a Brighton side of remarkable bravery and skill, Mikel Arteta’s side fell disastrously short of the standards that were required of them."
The BBC's piece followed a similar narrative, praising Arsenal for their heart whilst making it no secret that Brighton were by far the better team on the day. "Arsenal's players sank to their knees after the full-time whistle, the realisation quickly sinking in that their title dream was all but over after being picked off by Brighton," their post-match article said.
"The Gunners deserve enormous credit for the way they have pushed Manchester City in the title race. They were eight points clear of City at the top after 18 games but their pursuit is running out of steam after a highly damaging defeat at the business end of the season."
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