Arsenal news: Opinion – Sad, but inevitable exit of the title race

As the late February sun was setting over the Emirates on Saturday, the North Bank was bathed in golden light. On the pitch, however, things were categorically not golden.

Arsenal’s 1-0 home loss to West Ham felt like it all but ended their title hopes, especially as Liverpool swept past Manchester City in Sunday’s late kick-off to go 11 points clear of the Gunners

Only the most optimistic Arsenal fan will now not have conceded that Arne Slot’s side will be crowned champions.

The atmosphere at the Emirates was a strange one this weekend. In previous games, with Arsenal desperately chasing a goal to win the game, the stadium and fans are often nervous and impatient. There is an energy, a bubbling sense of frustration, with supporters aching for that release when the ball hits the back of the net.

What stood out this week was that the lacklustre display on the pitch was almost directly mirrored by the lethargy in the stands. Perhaps the biggest cheer of the day was for David Raya’s sprint technique in full flight, by which point the game was lost.

That atmosphere was reflective of what many fans had feared – this result had been coming, and there was nothing that could be done to prevent it.

Mikel Merino’s surprise double at King Power Stadium had acted as a temporary amnesia for the 80 minutes during which Arsenal huffed and puffed and failed to blow Leicester down. On Saturday, there was no such miracle.

When Jarrod Bowen’s header hit the back of the net, it was as if a giant balloon had been popped.

Usually, when conceding at the Emirates, the crowd immediately rallies, with the players enthusiastically making their way back to the centre, ready to rectify the situation.

There was none of that this weekend. There was no fight in them left, and the crowd could feel it too.

It was a sad, but perhaps inevitable way for Arsenal to bow out of the title race.

Find more from Laura Kirk-Francis at the Latte Firm podcast