Arsenal suffered yet another set back after a shock 2-1 home defeat to a struggling Brighton and Hove Albion side, handing Tottenham the chance to go three points clear with a win against Aston Villa.
The Gunners had the chance to pull further away from top four rivals Manchester United, who lost 1-0 to Everton in the early kickoff.
Also, Mikel Arteta’s side had to bounce back from the humiliating 3-0 defeat handed to them by Crystal Palace in midweek.
But it was another disappointment as Brighton, who had failed to win any of their last seven games prior to Saturday’s fixture, went away with all the three points.
Brighton broke the deadlock 28 minutes as Leandro Trossard who was found by Enock Mwepu, powered his effort past Aaron Ramsdale.
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Arsenal thought they had equalized four minutes of added time in the first half through Gabriel Martinelli, but after consulting the VAR, referee David Coote overturned the goal because the Brazilian was offside in the build-up.
Arsenal did everything possible to draw level in the second half but it was Brighton who went 2-0 up in the 67th minute thanks to Mwepu who finished off Moises Caicedo’s cross.
In the 89th minute Arsenal pulled a goal back as Odegaard’s strike clipper former Gunner Danny Welbeck and sailed into the top corner.
Despite efforts to get at least a point, Brighton held on to claim the crucial three points.
The defeat leaves Arsenal in fifth place on 54 points same as Spurs who occupy fourth due to better goals difference.
At St Mary’s, Chelsea recovered from their Champions League loss to Real Madrid with a resounding 6-0 win against Southampton.
The Blues maintain third position on 62 points after 30 games played.
A brace from Mason Mount and Timo Werner and a goal each from Marcos Alonso and Kai Havertz, sealed the dominant win for Chelsea.
And at Vicarage Road, Watford suffered a 3-0 loss to Leeds which compounds their relegation woes.
Following the defeat to Leeds, the Hornet remain in 19th place on 22 points and are six points from safety.
While William Troost-Ekong was not in Watford’s squad, Emmanuel Dennis came on in the 39th minute while Samuel Kalu was benched.
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