Watkins after scoring the equalizer (©Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Watkins after scoring the equalizer (©Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Good ebening, Liverpool! Emery's Villa snatch a point at Emirates

Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 18.01.25. | 22:25

Arsenal were 2-0 up with half an hour left on the clock but then conceded two and are now six points adrift of the Reds

If there's a lesson we can take from this Saturday in the Premier League, then it's the good, old "the game's not over till the fat lady sings".

After Liverpool managed to snatch a very late 2-0 win at Brentford despite getting into a stoppage-time with a goalless draw, we saw another crazy rollercoaster at the Emirates tonight.

Although Arsenal were 2-0 up against Unai Emery's Aston Villa on the verge of 60th-minute mark, Mikel Arteta's team conceded two goals in the next eight minutes and had to settle with a disturbing 2-2 draw. This way, instead of maybe reducing the gap to league leaders Liverpool to just two points (in case of the Reds' draw which eventually didn't happen), the Gunners are now six points below Liverpool, with Arne Slot's team having a game in hand, too.

And the scenario for this night seemed so favourable for Arsenal, as we mentioned. Leandro Trossard stepped up as a remarkable operator on the wing, crossing it twice superbly for two goals. Gabriel Martinelli's first-half opener gave the hosts some fresh air and relief. When Kai Havertz redeemed himself for that miss from the spot against Manchester United with a smooth finish to find the back of Emiliano Martinez's net, life seemed so bright for the Gunners again.

Alas, it was definitely not written in the stars for them.

Arsenal's former boss, Unai Emery, proved his teams are always patient and persistent, with enough firepower in the midfield and attack to fight back.

Youri Tielemans pulled one back and even his goal celebration showed how important this was for him and his teammates. The Dutch midfielder hit the post just a few minutes later, which was a serious warning for the home side. However, they obviously didn't understand those signs and learned the lesson the hard way.

Ollie Watkins found himself unmarked on the far post, following a cross from the right, knocking it firmly underneath the crossbar for a shocking draw, 2-2.

Arteta's injury-prone squad pushed for a late winner, and Havertz even netted following Mikel Merino's mid-range effort, but the goal was rightfully voided due to a handball.

Trossard was also close to scoring deep into stoppage time, but it stayed 2-2, and Arsenal's title hopes suffered a serious hit.

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 22

Saturday

Newcastle - Bournemouth 1-4 (1-2)

/Guimaraes 25 - Kluivert 6, 44, 90+2, Kerkez 90+6/

Brentford - Liverpool 0-2 (0-0)

/Darwin 90+1, 90+3/

Leicester - Fulham 0-2 (0-0)

/Smith Rowe 48, Traore 68/

West Ham - Crystal Palace 0-2 (0-0)

/Mateta 48, 89 pen/

Arsenal - Aston Villa 2-2 (1-0)

/Havertz 35, Martinelli 55 - Tielemans 60, Watkins 68/

Sunday

17.00: (2.80) Everton (3.50) Tottenham (2.45)

17.00: (2.10) Man.Utd. (3.60) Brighton (3.70)

17.00: (1.38) Nott.Forest (4.70) Southampton (8.50)

19.30: (8.00) Ipswich (5.80) Man.City (1.37)

Monday

23.00: (1.35) Chelsea (5.30) Wolverhampton (8.00)

**odds are subject to change**



tags

Aston VillaArsenalEnglish Premier LeagueUnai EmeryMikel ArtetaOllie WatkinsYouri TielemansGabriel MartinelliLeandro TrossardKai Havertz

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