)
Arsenal's title challenge officially ended after defeat to Nottingham Forest, but which players should take the bulk of the blame for bottling their best chance to win the Premier League in over a decade?
Arsenal lost the Premier League title to Manchester City after months of leading the way. At one point, the Gunners led by as many as 11 points, and although City had games in hand, it looked as though the momentum could not be halted.
After Saturday’s defeat to Nottingham Forest, Mikel Arteta’s side have officially surrendered the PL title to Manchester City, who smelled blood and never looked back.
We highlight five players to blame for the unforgivable collapse.
1 . Bukayo Saka
It seems absurd to blame a player who has excelled this season and could very well be named to the PL team of the year. However, when it mattered most, he was nowhere to be found.
One goal in his last nine league games speaks volumes of his shocking drop off and his sub-par performances coincided with the Gunners collapse.
)
2. Granit Xhaka
He started the season brilliantly but faded like the rest of his teammates. Almost unforgivable considering he is one of the most experienced players at Arteta’s disposal.
He will leave the club this summer, but it is hard to imagine him remembering this season fondly.
3. Thomas Partey
Yet another one of the experienced heads who fell away when he needed to stand up and be counted. Countless poor performances followed what had been an excellent season up to that point.
)
23:41 - 18.05.2023
'Partey can't lace Rodri's boots' — declares ex-England international
Arsenal's Thomas Partey has come into some heavy criticism with a former England international claiming that the Ghanian would not be able to lace the boots of Manchester City's Rodri
He eventually lost his place in the starting lineup but the damage had already been done
4. Gabriel Jesus
For all of his skill and endeavor, Gabriel Jesus is just not clinical enough to lead a team to the promised land. His catalogue of missed chances goes on and on, and Mikel Arteta must seriously consider bringing in a top-level goal scorer to supplement the Brazilian if Arsenal aim to push on next season.
5. Rob Holding
Arsenal’s collapse somewhat coincided with the injury to first choice defender William Saliba. Rob Holding was asked to step in, and he did an atrocious job. The Gunners began to leak goals for fun, most notably at the Etihad, losing 4-1.
He was eventually dropped, but once again, the damage had been done.
Related content
)
21:40 - 20.05.2023
PREMIER LEAGUE Nottingham Forest outclass Arsenal to hand title to Manchester City
Forest are now safe from relegation after holding onto a slim win to claim crucial points.
)
19:41 - 20.05.2023
FOOTBALL Man City are Premeir League champions
City's remarkable run of 11 consecutive victories in the final weeks of the campaign proved pivotal in dismantling Arsenal's pursuit of their first Premier League title since 2003/04.
)
19:33 - 20.05.2023
Super Eagles star Taiwo Awoniyi condemns Arsenal, hands title to Manchester City
Taiwo Awoniyi continued his remarkable goalscoring form with the only goal of the game as Nottingham Forest defeated Arsenal 1-0 to secure their PL safety and hand the league title to Manchester City.
)
14:59 - 20.05.2023
I don't like Arsenal — Gift Orban gives reasons why he wants Man Utd ahead of Arsenal
20-year-old Nigerian striker Gift Orban wants a dream move to the Premier League but does not want anything to do with Arsenal.
)
07:34 - 20.05.2023
Manchester City’s Guardiola picks most important trophy in potential treble
Manchester City's Pep Guardiola is already dreaming about a potential treble and has selected the most important of the three trophies that the Cityzens can win this season
)
06:28 - 20.05.2023
Supercomputer tips Manchester City for historic treble
Manchester City's hopes of winning the treble this season have been given some legitimacy by a Supercomputer tipping them to go all the way
)
22:40 - 19.05.2023
Real Madrid and Liverpool target suffers season-ending injury
Nice's Khephren Thuram who has attracted attention from Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Liverpool has had his season cut short by an injury that will keep him out until the summer
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)