Arsenal 1-1 Brighton: Chelsea qualify for Champions League, Aaron Ramsey tearful farewell

ARSENAL 1-1 BRIGHTON | AUBAMEYANG (9), MURRAY (61)

Arsenal: Leno, Lichtsteiner, Mustafi, Papastathopoulos, Monreal, Torreira, Xhaka, Mkhitaryan, Ozil, Lacazette, Aubameyang.

Brighton: Ryan, Saltor, Duffy, Dunk, Bernardo, Gross, Stephens, Bissouma, Jahanbakhsh, Murray, March.

Needing victory to keep their top-four chances realistically alive after Chelsea had earlier beaten Watford, Arsenal got the perfect start when referee Anthony Taylor pointed to the spot after Alireza Jahanbakhsh impeded Nacho Monreal.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang made no mistake with the penalty to notch up his 20th league goal of the season.

There was a nervousness about Arsenal, however, and Brighton grew into the game, with the threat of relegation removed by Cardiff City’s defeat on Saturday.

The visitors were level in the 61st minute when the dangerous Solly March made a strong goalwards run and Granit Xhaka was panicked into conceding a penalty that Murray converted.

In an end-to-end climax both teams went close to scoring but the final whistle was met with stunned silence by the Emirates crowd.

With one game left, Arsenal are four points adrift of third-placed Chelsea and three behind Tottenham, whose goal difference is eight better than the Gunners.

• Jahanbakhsh bundles Monreal over inside the penalty area

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang converts from the spot

• Glenn Murray scores penalty to level things up

‘It’s been a hell of a journey’

18:50: Aaron Ramsey says: “I’m very emotional. It’s been a hell of a journey. So much has happened in that. When I look back, you can hear in my voice how much it means to me.

“I’ve spent so many years here. I arrived here a boy at 17 years old and I leave here a man. So much has happened so I’m very grateful for the opportunity here.

“Obviously I’m really excited for the new challenge, the new chapter in my life. Today is all about this, where I grew up, so I just want to take this in.

“There’s been highs and lows, but the fans have stuck by me, so I’m very grateful.”

We deserved to win – Emery

18:45: Arsenal manager Unai Emery told Sky Sports: “We deserved to win. We are very defensively very strong and we had chances to score first half, and in the second half we didn’t take our chances but they defended very well. I have to congratulate them for the way the worked.

“We fight and we tried to win but each match in the Premier League is very difficult and today was a prime example. We need new energy and new players to change the performance. Scoring makes all the difference.

“We want to win today and we worked in the Premier League to be with the possibility of getting into the top four but today we lost the chance. Now, [the gap] it’s too big.”

Emotional…

18:40: Aaron Ramsey has been presented with some kind of silver plate for his service. The Welshman is in floods of tears as he collects the box.

“There’s only one Aaron Ramsey” rings out from the stands. He’ll be missed in the Premier League.

Jamie Redknapp said: “It’s a frustration for Arsenal fans that they’ve seen too many players leave on a free transfer. A player of his quality shouldn’t be leaving.”

Well this is awkward…

18:30: So… this is getting awkward. The Arsenal players have been forced to stay on the pitch and form a Guard of Honour for Aaron Ramsey, Petr Cech and Danny Welbeck.

All three will be leaving the club this summer – although I don’t think we were explicitly told that Welbeck wouldn’t be signing a new deal.

Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have faces like thunder. Bull dogs chewing wasps – use whatever expression you like. Picture above.

The standings…

18:25: Probably one of the most frustrating games for Arsenal fans to watch since… their last Premier League match.

As you’ll know, that draw means that Chelsea are guaranteed a top-four finish. The Gunners are three points behind rivals Tottenham, who have 70 points. It basically means Unai Emery needs Everton to thump Spurs 4-0 and then beat Burnley 5-0…

Europa League football awaits… again.

ARSENAL 1-1 BRIGHTON

FT: Chelsea have qualified for the Champions League after Arsenal failed to beat Brighton at the Emirates Stadium.

92: Decibel levels hit a low as Mustafi heads tamely at Ryan, who hits the deck clutching the ball. Arsenal have 60 seconds to find a dramatic stoppage-time winner.

91: We’re into the first 60 seconds of three minutes added time. Substitute Andone breaks free and he’s got March in the middle… blocked! Guendouzi makes the stop to keep Arsenal hopes alive.

90: Huge! Huge tackle from Shane Duffy. Alexandre Lacazette looks to have pierced the Brighton defence but there’s the centre-back to lunge in and hook the ball away.

Bu the pressure isn’t over – Arsenal have a corner.

89: Lucas Torreira kills the momentum when leathering one from distance. That’s in the stands and Brighton are gifted the chance to set themselves.

87: Chance! Goodness me – Brighton should have wrapped up the points. Leno parries away March’s diving header before Gross arrives to thump a simple six-yarder out for a throw-in.

85: Matteo Guendouzi – that was silly. The Frenchman thinks he’s fouled on the touchline so decides to grab the ball while it’s still in play.

Bissouma thumps the resulting free-kick over the crossbar before Mustafi is shown a yellow for an off-the-ball incident.

83: Alex Iwobi fizzes one across the penalty area… no red shirt there to apply the finish. Time running out for Arsenal.

If things stay the same – Chelsea will secure a Champions League qualification place next season.

80: Close! Brighton left-back Bernardo does away with the quick passing and instead goes direct with a 25-yarder that flies narrowly over the crossbar.

78: Oh the drama! It’s all one-way traffic now as Arsenal search for this all-important equaliser. Alexandre Lacazette dances into the penalty area before his low rocket deflects wide.

Unai Emery makes a tripe change. Lichtsteiner, Xkaha and Mkhitaryan off, Iwobi, Kolasinac and Guendouzi on. Andone on for Murray.

75: The game is getting really stretched now as both sides throw caution to the wind.

WHHAAAAT?! How’s he missed that? Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has just squandered a golden opportunity as the ball pings his way inside the box. He connects well enough but hammers it miles wide of the target.

72: Matt Ryan with his umpteenth save of the afternoon. This one was rather more straightforward from Aubameyang, who hooks a first-time effort straight at the Brighton stopper.

69: Alex Iwobi and Eddie Nkethiah are warming up on the sidelines. Looks like one or perhaps both will be introduced.

Consistency… Having conceded 50 goals in a Premier League season for the first time ever last season, Arsenal have now just done it again.

66: Brighton under-siege here now! Arsenal win a couple of corners on the bounce and the second his hammered over on the volley by Aubameyang. Boos and whistles around the stadium from frustrated Gooners.

63: Booked! Lichtsteiner is penalised for a fairly innocuous foul on the byline and is shown a yellow card of dissent. Nice and feisty here at the Emirates.

ARSENAL 1-1 BRIGHTON | MURRAY

61: He’s converted! Of course he’s converted – he’s Glenn Murray! The visitors have drawn level with less than 30 minutes on the clock.

Arsenal, as things stand, will be three points behind Tottenham heading into the final weekend.

PENALTY TO BRIGHTON

60: Granit Xhaka is the culprit when clipping Solly March’s ankles in the penalty area. He earns his 10th booking of the season. Cue Glenn Murray folks…

57: Ah but Granit Xhaka has the chance to make amends seconds later when Sokratis is brought down… he’s done exactly the same thing. Who is letting him take all of these while Mesut Ozil’s on the pitch?!

54: Danger! Granit Xhaka is standing over a free-kick 25-yards from goal. This will either go very right or very wrong.

… he steps up… guess which one? Very wrong indeed as the midfielder arrows it straight into the wall.

51: Save! Solly March tests Bernd Leno from an acute angle and the Arsenal stopper makes the stop. Not overly comfortable for Unai Emery’s side.

48: Arsenal starting the second half as they did the first – on the front-foot. Lucas Torreira dribbles into the Brighton penalty area but refuses to pull the trigger. He’s stopped by a wall of green shirts.

ARSENAL 1-0 BRIGHTON

45: And we’re back. And luckily for me – I have an Arsenal supporting colleague sitting behind me. That’s not going to get annoying…

Brighton make a change with Anthony Knockaert on for Jahanbakhsh.

Twitter reaction

Raukl: Auditions for Bissouma, Dunk, Duffy, Groß + March. May just be that Brighton are raided this summer. Wouldn’t surprise me to see those 5 players leave to bigger clubs.

Gee: This is what Brighton should have done more of during this season, especially this year. Run at people. Challenge them. They have some quick and talented players, just seems they’ve been held back…

Paul: I don’t think that’s a pen. I don’t think it’s a dive either. Lacazette must be looking on thinking “I’ve been gunned down in cold blood so many times this season and got nothing, but Nacho bumps into someone and gets it!”

James: Lichtsteiner looks vulnerable almost every time Brighton attack down the Gunners’ right. Still, halfway to an important win.

ARSENAL 1-0 BRIGHTON

HT: Brighton survive a late Lewis Dunk backpass that Alexandre Lacazette is inches from intercepting. Pascal Gross is also booked for a blatant foul to stop Arsenal from breaking.

Started and ended well for Unai Emery’s side but they lost control in the middle, and that’s given Brighton encouragement. Nicely balanced heading into the second half.

45: Off the line! When Lewis Dunk inevitably gets his statue in Brighton – it better be of him making a last-ditch challenge. He makes about nine every game!

The centre-back throws his body in the way of a ferocious Alexandre Lacazette shot to stop a certain goal.

44: “Brighton fans calling for Hughton’s head..?! It’s not that long ago I was watching Brighton v Northampton in the fourth tier at an athletics ground. Would love to see the Cobblers in the PL in a 30,000 stadium. Be grateful!” says Rodney on Twitter. Quite right too.

41: Matt Ryan to the rescue! Aubameyang’s first-time hit is pushed away by the Brighton stopper at full-stretch. The visitors living dangerously as we approach the break.

38: I can’t say I’ve watched Brighton a great deal this season – but one player catching the eye today is Yves Bissouma. He’s been a titan in midfield and looks threatening going forward. Great feet. Dare I say it – just the kind of player Arsenal need!

35: Close! Shkodran Mustafi wriggles free of his marker before stooping to head Mesut Ozil’s corner straight at Ryan in the Brighton goal.

33: What is wrong with Bernd Leno’s kicking today?! He’s shanked another simple clearance straight to Bissouma, who doesn’t capitalise.

Shortly before that, Pascal Gross whips in a corner which very nearly goes straight in.

30: Another update, another chance for Brighton. Solly March twists and turns past Lichtsteiner but his final effort nestles tamely in the side-netting.

I would like my previous comment about this match being dead and buried stricken from the record please. I was waaaay too hasty.

27: Just seen a replay of that Lichtsteiner incident. He was tugging at Bissouma’s shirt and it should have been a penalty. Brighton fans singing: “1-0 to the referee.”

26: What a passage of play from Brighton! Bernd Leno is at fault for a dismal clearance that drops kindly for Murray, who curls one against the shoulder of Sokratis.

March keeps the ball in play and crosses over for the veteran striker, whose header is heading in until Leno makes the stop. I must say it did look like Lichtsteiner was impeding Bissouma in the box.

23: Very, very niggly game unfolding now. Arsenal looked sharp in the opening stages but Brighton have pulled themselves together – perhaps the burning injustice of Nacho Monreal’s soft penalty decision.

20: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the sixth different Arsenal player to score 20+ goals in a Premier League season – no other side has had more different players do so (Man Utd and Liverpool also six).

18: Bit of a silly challenge from Mkhitaryan, who bodychecks Bissouma and gifts Brighton a free-kick outside the box. Gross’ free-kick appears to connect with Sokratis’s hand but Anthony Taylor ignores it – I think it struck his shoulder.

15: Mildly hilarious seeing lumbering centre-backs get booked for simulation – it just doesn’t look right! Sokratis goes over outside the Brighton penalty area and Anthony Taylor shows him the yellow. Theatrical would be an understatement.

13: Late charge for the Golden Boot? That goal moves Aubameyang to 20 Premier League goals this season – two behind Mohamed Salah, who may miss Liverpool’s final game.

11: It feels disrespectful to say a game is dead and buried after nine minutes – but it does feel like that today. Arsenal look bright and zippy while Brighton have been hopeless. Sharp as a teaspoon in attack.

ARSENAL 1-0 BRIGHTON | AUBAMEYANG

9: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang converts by sending Mat Ryan the wrong way.

Arsenal move to within a point of fourth-placed Tottenham, who are depleted without Son and Harry Kane AND face in-form Everton next weekend.

PENALTY TO ARSENAL

8: Nightmare start for Arsenal as Jahanbakhsh bundles Monreal over inside the penalty area – but I’m not really sure how much contact there was. Minimal would probably be accurate. Referee Anthony Taylor has no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

7: Chris Hughton usually opts for pace away from the Amex Stadium but he’s started with Glenn Murray in attack today. And as you’ll know, a snail crawling through glue is faster.

The Seagulls have been limited to hopeful punts forward that the veteran striker has been unable to collect.

5: Free-kick to Arsenal over on the right channel. Shane Duffy climbs all over Nacho Monreal in the middle and glances it behind for a corner, which is promptly wasted.

3: Wooof! What a start from the Gunners, who aren’t looking short of confidence. They pin Brighton back for the opening three minutes before Henrik Mkhitaryan strikes the base of the post from distance.

Ozil was quickest to the rebound but penalised for offside.

ARSENAL 0-0 BRIGHTON

1: Hello everyone, sorry for the lack (or total absence) of build-up to today’s clash – but I’ve been a little bit busy covering Manchester United’s never-ending collapse. They drew 1-1 with relegated Huddersfield to eliminate any chance of Champions League qualification.

Arsenal are still in the hunt and could move to within a point of Tottenham with a victory over Brighton. Plenty at stake today.

Anyway, enough waffle – we’re underway at the Emirates Stadium.

ARSENAL vs BRIGHTON – TEAM NEWS

Arsenal captain Laurent Koscielny is in contention despite coming off in the Europa League tie against Valencia. Nacho Monreal replaced Koscielny and could come in from the start having overcome his own calf problem, but Danny Welbeck (ankle), Hector Bellerin and Rob Holding (both knee) are out.

Brighton winger Jose Izquierdo will be absent after suffering a knee injury and joins Holland midfielder Davy Propper (hamstring) on the sidelines. Record signing Alireza Jahanbakhsh could return to Albion’s squad after being left out last weekend.

Last season: Brighton 2 Arsenal 1, Arsenal 2 Brighton 0

Last five league matches: Arsenal L W L L L; Brighton L L D L D

Top scorers (all competitions): Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal) 24; Glenn Murray (Brighton) 13

Referee: Anthony Taylor (Cheshire)