Arsenal Squander Two-Goal Lead, Drop Points Against Villa
Kai Havertz thought he had snatched a late winner
- Arsenal suffered a major setback in their Premier League title aspirations
- The hosts had dominated the early stages
- The absence of William Saliba through injury significantly impacted Arsenal's defense
Arsenal suffered a major setback in their Premier League title aspirations, throwing away a two-goal lead at home to Aston Villa and dropping two crucial points.
Kai Havertz thought he had snatched a late winner, but his goal was controversially ruled out for handball.
The hosts had dominated the early stages, with Gabriel Martinelli capitalizing on a defensive error by Ian Maatsen to open the scoring. Leandro Trossard, instrumental in the first goal, provided the assist for Havertz’s 13th goal of the season, putting Arsenal firmly in control.
However, Villa staged a remarkable comeback. Youri Tielemans headed home Matty Cash’s cross to reduce the deficit, and Ollie Watkins leveled the score with a powerful volley.
This draw leaves Arsenal six points adrift of league leaders Liverpool, having played a game more. Villa, meanwhile, moved into seventh place, two points behind Newcastle in the race for Champions League qualification.
The absence of William Saliba through injury significantly impacted Arsenal’s defense. Manager Mikel Arteta expressed serious concerns about the severity of Saliba’s injury, acknowledging the potential impact on the team’s depth.
“Tomorrow we will have more information, but am I worried? Yes, for sure,” Arteta admitted, highlighting the potential challenges of competing without a key defender.
