Arsenal let a two-goal lead slip on Saturday as they were held to a 2-2 draw with Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium.
A cagey first 30 minutes had Arsenal fans fearing their team’s struggles in front of goal would take over again here, but those concerns were eased when Gabriel Martinelli stabbed home from close range late in the first half. Emiliano Martinez scrambled to save the shot on the goal-line but a buzz on the referee’s watch confirmed the goal.
Havertz doubled Arsenal’s advantage early in the second half with a smart finish from a Leandro Trossard cross, but Youri Tielemans’ diving header halved the deficit almost immediately and Ollie Watkins’ controlled volley saw the two sides head into the final 20 minutes all tied up.
Arsenal thought they had won it late on when Mikel Merino’s strike found its way into the back of the net, only for a VAR check to chalk it off for a handball from Kai Havertz.
With Liverpool snatching a late win over Brentford earlier in the day, the Gunners now find themselves six points adrift of the league leaders having played one game more.
|
Player |
Rating |
|---|---|
|
GK: David Raya |
5.5/10 |
|
RB: Thomas Partey |
7.3/10 |
|
CB: Jurrien Timber |
6.7/10 |
|
CB: Gabriel |
7.2/10 |
|
LB: Myles Lewis-Skelly |
6.9/10 |
|
DM: Declan Rice |
7.3/10 |
|
CM: Mikel Merino |
8.1/10 |
|
CM: Martin Odegaard |
6.3/10 |
|
RW: Gabriel Martinelli |
7.0/10 |
|
ST: Kai Havertz |
7.5/10 |
|
LW: Leandro Trossard |
8.6/10 |
|
SUB: Raheem Sterling (82′ for Martinelli) |
N/A |
Subs not used: Neto (GK), Jakub Kiwior, Kieran Tierney, Maldini Kacurri, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jorginho, Ismeal Kabia, Nathan Butler-Oyedeji
|
Player |
Rating |
|---|---|
|
GK: Emiliano Martinez |
6.4/10 |
|
RB: Matty Cash |
6.9/10 |
|
CB: Ezri Konsa |
6.3/10 |
|
CB: Tyrone Mings |
6.1/10 |
|
LB: Ian Maatsen |
6.4/10 |
|
DM: Amadou Onana |
6.5/10 |
|
DM: Boubacar Kamara |
6.8/10 |
|
RM: Morgan Rogers |
5.9/10 |
|
AM: Youri Tielemans |
8.0/10 |
|
LM: Jacob Ramsey |
5.8/10 |
|
ST: Ollie Watkins |
7.4/10 |
|
SUB: Lamare Bogarde (37′ for Onana) |
6.7/10 |
|
SUB: Lucas Digne (46′ for Maatsen) |
7.6/10 |
|
SUB: Jhon Duran (79′ for Watkins) |
6.2/10 |
|
SUB: Leon Bailey (84′ for Ramsey) |
N/A |
Subs not used: Joe Gauci (GK), Robin Olsen (GK), Kosta Nedeljkovic, Emiliano Buendia, Donyell Malen
Player of the match – Leandro Trossard (Arsenal)
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