If this is to be the end of Arsenal's title challenge -- and given events in Brentford earlier Saturday, it feels like it might be -- then it could scarcely be more appropriate. This was the full smorgasbord of the reasons why the Premier League trophy will be on Merseyside come May 24 rather than north London.

Arne Slot’s team had threatened to run away with the 2024-25 Premier League, but after their draw at Nottingham Forest on Tuesday and Arsenal’s win over Tottenham Hotspur the following night, the gap is down to four points — albeit Liverpool have a game in hand.

Arsenal already have a lengthy injury list, including Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus, while they were also without Riccardo Calafiori, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu against Aston Villa