Arsenal got a strong position in the match with two goals before and after the break. But they couldn’t hold it. Aston Villa scored two goals in the eighth minute. In the end, Mikel Arteta’s team could not make the difference even though there were some great opportunities.
The Premier League match was held to a 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. Youri Tielemans reduced the gap after Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz scored goals. Villa then earned a point through Ollie Watkins.
This is the second time Arsenal have dropped points in three league matches. The team also suffered a big blow in the title race. They are in second place with 44 points in 22 matches and 12 wins in eight draws.
Liverpool, who lost 2-0 to Brentford in the previous match, is at the top with 50 points in 21 matches.
Arsenal, who dominated the attack for most of the match, got the desired goal in the 35th minute. Martinelli took the shot from Leandro Trossard’s extended pass from the left byline, the goalkeeper returned the ball in the second attempt; But by then the ball had crossed the goal line.
Arsenal crashed out of the FA Cup last week after losing to Manchester United and Havertz was heavily criticised for failing to score in the tiebreaker in that match. In the 10th minute of the second half, his performance doubled the gap. The German midfielder scored the goal in the volley after getting Trossard’s cross in the six-yard box.
Havertz has scored 13 goals in all competitions for Arsenal this season.
Then Villa turned around greatly. In front of their fighting football, Arsenal’s two-goal gap was quickly closed.
In the 60th minute, Lucas Dinier’s cross ran to reduce the gap with a diving head. They could return to equality in the next minute; But the Belgian midfielder’s shot was blocked in the post.
But the wait for the team was not long. In the 68th minute, English forward Watkins made the scoreline 2-2 with a great volley after receiving a cross from Polish right-back Matty Cash.
He has scored 10 goals in the league this season, the most among Aston Villa players.
Arsenal’s confidence was hurt by digesting two goals in a short time. They didn’t create a clear chance. Mikel Merino’s shot in the 87th minute, however, found the address; But in the middle of the ball in the hands of Havertz, the VAR did not match the goal.
In the first minute of the added time, Arsenal was again deprived of the goal due to bad luck; Merino’s shot was blocked in the post. After getting the ball around the teammate’s feet, the shot taken by Trossard was somehow blocked by the goalkeeper and the hosts had to leave the field with disappointment.
Aston Villa, who avoided the defeat in a great comeback, is in seventh place with 36 points in 22 matches.