Aston Villa inflicted another major blow to Arsenal’s title hopes as they recovered from two goals down to claim a dramatic 2-2 draw which leaves the Gunners six points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Arsenal were under pressure to win after Liverpool’s victory at Brentford but Villa, whose win at the Emirates Stadium in April wrecked the Gunners’ title hopes last term, inflicted another severe blow.
The Gunners appeared to be cruising as Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz scored either side of half-time, with goal-line technology needed to award the opener, but Villa staged a stunning comeback.
Youri Tielemans sparked their recovery when he bravely headed home a wicked cross from substitute Lucas Digne and Ollie Watkins equalised from close range only eight minutes later as Arsenal threw their lead away.
The Gunners pushed for a winner in a frenzied finale and thought they had it when Mikel Merino’s shot bounced into the net of Kai Havertz but VAR intervened, deeming the ball to have struck Havertz’s hand.
EPL: Late Nunez double earns Liverpool win at Brentford as Bournemouth whip Newcastle
Arsenal created a string of further chances, with Merino striking the upright and Trossard sending the follow-up straight at Emiliano Martinez, before Trossard spurned a golden chance deep in stoppage time when he dragged wide when played in on goal.
In the end, Aston Villa held on, the draw ensuring they haunt Arsenal again. The Gunners are six points behind Liverpool and the gap could be extended to nine points if the Reds win their game in hand.
The draw puts Aston Villa above Manchester City in seventh place.
Arsenal’s 2-1 win against North London rivals Tottenham on Wednesday had ended a damaging run of three games without a win in all competitions.
That frustrating streak included the FA Cup exit against 10-man Manchester United and a League Cup semi-final first-leg loss to Newcastle.
There was a pre-match blow for Arsenal as French defender William Saliba was ruled out with a “minor issue” and Villa eventually exploited his absence.
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