Arsenal’s hope of returning to the Champions League via a top-four finish in the Premier League was shattered on Sunday as they were held 1-1 by bottom side Brighton.
The draw leaves Unai Emery’s side in fifth place, three points behind fourth placed north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, who have a far superior goal difference.
Leaders Liverpool and Manchester City have already sealed the top two spots ahead of the final round of Premier League fixtures next weekend as chelsea also qualified after beating Watford 3-0.
FT
Only a massive swing in goal difference could see Arsenal make the top four now.
Arsenal 1-1 Brighton#ARSBHA reaction: https://t.co/1QUUHm0XFD pic.twitter.com/avvUCGMEsl
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) May 5, 2019
The Gunners can now qualify for the Europe’s elite competotion only by winning the Europa League and they are in a strong position to reach the final, 3-1 up after the home leg of their semi-final against Valencia.
Emery made five changes for their final Premier League home game, juggling the club’s league ambitions with Thursday’s second leg in Valencia, including recalls for Nacho Monreal, Lucas Torreira and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Arsenal were impressive in the early stages at the Emirates and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang struck from the penalty spot in the ninth minute after Monreal was brought down in the area by Alireza Jahanbakhsh.
? See you on the flip side @Aubameyang7 ?
Arsenal 1-0 Brighton (27 mins) #ARSBHA pic.twitter.com/qD6VxxQIzb
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 5, 2019
The visitors, whose Premier League survival was assured when Cardiff lost at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday, came back strongly, putting pressure on a nervy home side but Aubameyang went close shortly before half-time.
Brighton levelled from a disputed penalty in the 61st minute. Solly March went down under minimal contact from Granit Xhaka and Glenn Murray found the net from the resulting spot-kick.
Aubameyang missed a golden chance to restore Arsenal’s lead as the home side poured forward and Ryan blocked an effort from Alexandre Lacazette.
Emery then made a triple substitution, throwing on Matteo Guendouzi, Alex Iwobi and Sead Kolasinac for Mkhitaryan, Xhaka and Lichtsteiner but despite frantic late Arsenal pressure, they could not find a winner.
They have a goal difference of +20, compared to Tottenham’s +28, meaning Spurs, who host Everton next week, are almost assured of finishing the season in fourth spot. Arsenal travel to face Burnley in their final league game.