FA Premier League

ARSENAL 2 (Martinelli 35, Havertz 55)
ASTON VILLA 2 (Tielemans 60, Watkins 68) 

LIVERPOOL’s devastating injury time winning goals, scored as thousands of Arsenal fans arrived at the Emirates Stadium, created an odd atmosphere before kick off.

Any brief bounce from the derby win midweek had been truly sapped away by the league leaders snatching a win at Brentford.

How would the blow affect the players about to step out onto the field against the Unai Emery’s side that crushed their dreams last season?

The Gunners started brilliantly and kept up the high tempo football for most of the game, with Leandro Trossard starring in the first half with two assists.

But a Saliba-less defence was exposed twice in quick succession in the second half – and Villa could easily have scored a third.

There was to be no fairytale last minute winner, no flash of magic – and once again supporters were left frustrated and ruing another hatful of missed chances and an eighth draw of a disappointing season.

After the match, Mikel Arteta said “defending the way that we did, especially one of the goals, it cannot be part of our game”, adding that he was “incredibly proud of the team” that had “to play three times in six days”.

Gabi Martinelli’s stabbed shot looked to have been clasped away by Emi Martinez – but referee Chris Kavanagh’s watch said otherwise.

Kai Havertz goal was a well struck volley on the turn from close range that Martinez also got a hand to.

In truth, Havertz had another poor game, despite some admirable hold up play.

He had missed two good chances early on, and his goal only really went in because of the perfect connection rather than the direction.

At the start of the second half he met a perfect cross with his back instead of his head.

Villa’s opener came Tielemans who seemed to combine with Merino to steer the ball past David Raya.

The midfielder hit the post minutes later, as the game out of nowhere turned on its head.

Ollie Watkins – who ended Arsenal’s title race in this fixture last season – scored at the same end after an incisive cross from Matty Cash.

Thomas Partey, playing at right back, was at fault for the goal, losing Watkins completely as the cross came in.

Merino thought he’d scored at the death, but replays showed the was deflected-in off Havertz’s arm.

Merino then hit the post in goal mouth scramble as 7 minutes injury time was called.

Trossard dragged a last ditch effort wide and fans their breath as one last freekick was lumped into the box on 97 minutes.

There were many missed chances – deflections and wayward shots that have become a hallmark of 2025 Arsenal.

Given the precision of the passing and build up play, it’s hard to understand why this is happening.

The only reasonable explanation is confidence and composure.

Arteta only made one substitution in the game – the spent Raheem Sterling – showing the problems with the thinness on the bench.

The only striker on the benc is Butler-Odeyeji – who was playing on loan to Cheltenham last season.

Perhaps confidence and composure can be found in the January transfer market.

But perhaps the problem runs deeper than the players.

Arsenal: Raya, Miles-Skelly, Gabriel, Timber, Partey, Merino, Rice, Odegaard, Martinelli (Sterling 83), Havertz, Trossard
Subs not used: Neto, Tierney, Kiwior, Zinchenko,  Jorginho, Butler-Odeyeji, Kabia, Kacoun

Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Tielemens, Watkins (Duran 80), Maatsen (Digne 45), Onana (Bogarde 37), Rogers, Ramsey, Kamara
Subs not used: Gauci, Olsen, Buendia, Malen, Nedeljkovic, Bailey