Arsenal have been dealt a major blow in their pursuit of Premier League leaders Liverpool after losing a two-goal lead at home to Aston Villa.
Mikel Arteta’s side were two goals ahead at the start of the second half after goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz.
Villa, however, hit back shortly after the hour mark as Youri Tielemans and then Ollie Watkins struck.
Arsenal then pushed for a winner and Mikel Merino saw a late goal ruled out as VAR ruled his shot had hit Havertz’s arm.
Merino also hit the post in the dying moments and Arsenal were gutted at the final whistle as they lost crucial points in the title race.
Simon Collings was at the Emirates Stadium to watch Arsenal in action…
Title hopes take another blow
It was the lost points against Aston Villa that ultimately cost Arsenal the title last season and, although this year’s run is not yet over, that draw will have really hurt the Gunners.
The manner of this will have been particularly painful given Arsenal were 2-0 up and dominating early in the second half.
Within eight minutes, however, Villa scored twice and all of Arsenal’s hard work was undone.
Results earlier in the day made this tie even tougher, with Liverpool coming away late to beat Brentford.
Arne Slot’s side looked set to drop points in west London, but Darwin Nunez came to their rescue and meant it was up to Arsenal to respond.
The gap to leaders Liverpool now stands at six points and Slot’s side also have a game in hand. The title seems to be slipping away from Arsenal.
Defensive problems cost Arsenal dearly
Injuries have hurt Arsenal this season and forced Arteta into changes at the back.
This was again the case this evening as a hamstring injury to William Saliba forced him to miss the match.
The result was Arteta naming an 11th different defender in the Premier League this season. A remarkable statistic considering we are only 22 games into the campaign.
The reshuffle on this occasion saw Jurrien Timber moved to centre-back, Thomas Partey to right-back and Declan Rice to the base of midfield.
Much has been made of Arsenal’s attacking problems, but it was their defense that let them down on this occasion.
For the first goal, Partey was too slow to release Lucas Digne and he managed to whip in a cross which Tielemans headed home.
For Villa’s second, Partey allowed Watkins to clear it and the striker volleyed Matty Cash’s cross past David Raya.
Martinelli and Trossard step up to the plate
If there is a positive point in this draw, it is the performances of Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
In the absence of Bukayo Saka, the Gunners need more from their attacking players as they work to strengthen their squad this month.
Martinelli and Trossard have both had indifferent seasons so far, but against Aston Villa they provided a glimpse of what they can offer when fit.
They combined to score Arsenal’s first goal, with a ball from Merino down the left flank finding Trossard.
The Belgian relieved Boubacar Kamara, before passing him and crossing from the touchline.
Martinelli was at the back post, making the most of Villa left-back Ian Maatsen hot on his heels.
Emi Martinez tried his best to keep the ball out of the net, but he failed and Arsenal scored the goal his first half performance deserved.
Trossard then set up Havertz for Arsenal’s second goal, sending in a cross from the left which the striker guided home.