Title stress strikes hard at Arsenal: leader on the way to defeat against the last Southampton | Foreign football

On Sunday, April 9, Arsenal already gave up a quick 0-2 lead at Anfield. Liverpool could have even won that game, but Aaron Ramsdale prevented that by tapping a shot from Mohamed Salah out of the top corner in extra time. A week later, Arsenal again led 0-2 in the London derby at West Ham United, but that game also ended in 2-2.

Tonight Arsenal did not take a 0-2 lead, but after fifteen minutes it was already 0-2 behind against Southampton. The last of the Premier League took the lead after half a minute at the Emirates Stadium in London, when Argentine playmaker Carlos Alcaraz (20) gratefully benefited from fumbling with goalkeeper Ramsdale. Fifteen minutes later, former Arsenal striker Theo Walcott (34) even made it 0-2 on a pass from Alcaraz. Walcott did not cheer after his goal against the club he played for from 2005 to 2018, where he scored 108 goals in 397 matches.

After the 0-2, Oleksandr Zinchenko called all Arsenal players together for a pep talk. In the 21st minute, Arsenal already made the connection goal, when Gabriel Martinelli scored on a pass from Bukayo Saka. In the stands, club icons Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira, part of the team that became undefeated national champions in 2003/2004, are anxiously watching whether Arsenal will take the three points tonight. It was still 1-2 at halftime, despite seven minutes of extra time due to a head injury at Southampton defender Jan Bednarek, who was not allowed to return to the field by the club doctor.

His replacement, the Croatian defender Duje Caleta-Car, headed in the 1-3 for Southampton in the 66th minute. Arsenal is therefore heading for a very painful defeat at the worst possible moment, so shortly before the clash with pursuer Manchester City.

Arsenal started the game with four points ahead of number two Manchester City, but after tonight has already played two games more than Pep Guardiola’s team. The defending champion will play against Sheffield United in the semi-finals of the FA Cup on Saturday evening at Wembley. Then the focus will turn to Wednesday evening’s top match at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, where City will receive Arsenal. Manchester City are chasing their fifth league title in six seasons. Liverpool lacked hegemony in the 2019/20 season.

City now has a total of eight league titles. Arsenal are third in the all-time ranking in England with thirteen league titles, behind Liverpool (19) and Manchester United (20). The record champion was last champion of England in the 2012/2013 season, the last of Sir Alex Ferguson. With a ninth title, City is level with number four Everton, who last became champions in 1987 and now have to fear relegation.