Arsenal players can take some consolation from this evening despite their Premier League title hopes taking a huge dent at the hands of Manchester City.
It was a painful night for the Gunners as their 4-1 defeat to Pep Guardiola's side leaves them needing a massive favour from other teams if they are to win their first Premier League title in 19 years.
Goals from John Stones, Erling Haaland and a Kevin De Bruyne brace mean City are just two points off the Gunners - with two games in hand.
However, in the East Midlands, Nottingham Forest's 3-1 victory over Brighton not only boosted the host's chance of Premier League survival, but also was a result of significance for Arsenal.
The result ensured Arsenal have qualified for next season's Champions League.
It is the first time that the Gunners have qualified for Europe's top competition since the 2015-16 season - a campaign where they finished second to Leicester in the Premier League.
The Gunners have not played any Champions League football since their 10-2 aggregate defeat to Bayern Munich in the Round of 16 during the 2016-17 campaign.
Though Brighton were only 8th going into their clash with Nottingham Forest tonight, the fact they have three games in hand over the Gunners gave them extra points to close the gap if Arsenal had suffered a catastrophic collapse in the final weeks of the season.
Arsenal would have aimed for Champions League qualification at the start of the season after narrowly missing out behind their local rivals Tottenham last season.
But given they had an eight point lead over Man City just a matter of weeks ago, there will be more a sense of disappointment after tonight's result, with Guardiola's side now in control of the title fight, and the Gunners have known for some time they would likely be in next season's Champions League.
The Gunners have seen a decline in form in recent weeks with their defeat to City following draws with Liverpool, West Ham and Southampton.
They will now need to win all of their games and hope City drop five points in their final seven matches to claw away the title from the reigning champions.
Nosknpuy
0
Do you have choice?
of course I do I could like it less and find someone to blame like United always blaming Maguire. Sometimes I think they paid 80 million pounds so they could have an excuse for bad results. In Arsenal's case Man City were easily the better team last night
Tiadilou
0
You people are just talking about how arsenal have given the keys for a title race to city, but at least try to congratulate them. Honestly, they have improved. Look at how arsenal used to play and where they used to finish from, there position was 4th back then until they even stopped playing UCL but now look how impressive there've been this season. Arsenal bravo, well done, you tried with everything you had.
Help me tell them
tosilosy
0
Manchester United + Manchester City = Manchester Unity
[image]
Sure sure boss. we're neighbors. No jealous though meeting on 3rd June for FA cup. It will be very interesting to see a local derby in fa final. Cityzens fan from Zambia πΏπ²πΏπ²πΏπ²π₯π₯π₯π₯
Baoabcemrt
0
UCL for what now we needed a trophy not UCL this is a pathetic club a business club a stepping stone for players and even upcoming caches
Ify12
0
I love this club even more after this match.
Do you have choice?
26133839(deleted)
0
what a consolation πππ
Leuacemrt
6
You people are just talking about how arsenal have given the keys for a title race to city, but at least try to congratulate them. Honestly, they have improved. Look at how arsenal used to play and where they used to finish from, there position was 4th back then until they even stopped playing UCL but now look how impressive there've been this season. Arsenal bravo, well done, you tried with everything you had.
lekdeilrz
2
man united will a great season than arsenal man u already won one trophy played quarter final in europer league already in another final Thank you ten hag
taoacdelsz
0
we don't care.
musilmu
2
The damage has been done long ago with 3 consecutive draws.
Miockmnt
1
everybody wants to kill arteta for his tactics in this game
daheroda8
1
Commendable effort by Arsenal, gave City some pressure even towards the end of season ππΌππΌ
chukwuka29
0
wait ooo..π€£π€£ππ is this... how Arsenal will play... UCL.. next season π°π°ππππππ€£π€£π€£π€£π€£π°π°π°π€£π€£π€£π€£π€£π°π°π°π€£π€£π€£π€£π€£π€£π€£π€£π€£π€£π€£
maturidikxith
4
but don't try again ok
Tabestz
2
Epl should start giving silver medal to the runner up as well β¦
lipanpstuz
0
courage your self arsenal fans
Tabestz
1
Barca fans realising that they were not as bad as arsenal [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
29Kumarr
1
Manchester United + Manchester City = Manchester Unity
Tonu22
2
sry to say heavy metal second π₯ place
AlameenMalami
3
Arteta mustβve finished killing all the Arsenal players by now ππ
StevenSiew
1
Different manager, different team, same philosophy. Wenger or no Wenger. Arsenal always self destruct.
Nosknpuy
6
I love this club even more after this match.
Djibril117
1
TheOddOne
0
Probably knowing that will cushion that EPL dream smashed
kruz8080
1
Still an achievement π―Congrats Gunners
BertrandGenus
1
wow what a good trophy this season