ARSENAL 3-2 ASTON VILLA: VAR award Kai Havertz’s disallowed late goal vs Aston Villa as Arteta men went homw with three points
Arsenal were denied a late winner as Aston Villa came from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Merino’s strike hit Kai Havertz and beat Emiliano Martinez in the final minutes, but that goal was ruled out by VAR after replays showed the ball had hit the arm of Havertz.
The Gunners had appeared in control within ten minutes of the second-half, when Kai Havertz volleyed in to double the lead after Gabriel Martinelli had given the hosts a half-time advantage.
However, it turned into a damaging evening for Arsenal’s title hopes, just a couple of hours after Liverpool had scored twice in stoppage-time to edge past Brentford.
Youri Tielemans headed in just five minutes after Havertz’s goal to get Villa right back in the match, and Ollie Watkins then took advantage of some incredibly poor marking from Thomas Partey to volley in and leave the Emirates stunned.
Arsenal had just over 20 minutes to find a late winner and Merino thought he had provided just that, only for VAR to halt the celebrations in the stands.
Seven minutes were added on and Merino was inches away from a goal that would have stood, when his strike smacked off the post, before Martinez denied Leandro Trossard from the rebound.
Villa held on for a point, one that leaves Arsenal six points behind Liverpool having played a game more.
Arsenal’s 2-2 draw against Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium dealt a significant blow to their title ambitions, as Mikel Arteta’s side failed to capitalize on a two-goal advantage and missed the chance to keep pace with Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table.
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### **Match Highlights**
– **First Half:**
Gabriel Martinelli gave Arsenal the lead before halftime, a well-taken finish that put the Gunners in control.
– **Second Half:**
Kai Havertz extended the lead early in the second half with a clinical volley, seemingly putting Arsenal in a commanding position.
– **Villa’s Comeback:**
– Youri Tielemans headed home five minutes later to spark Villa’s revival.
– Ollie Watkins capitalized on poor marking from Thomas Partey to level the match, leaving Arsenal reeling.
– **Late Drama:**
– Mikel Merino thought he had snatched a winner in the dying moments, but VAR ruled it out after Kai Havertz’s handball was spotted in the buildup.
– In stoppage time, Merino hit the post, and Leandro Trossard’s rebound effort was denied by an impressive Emiliano Martinez save.
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### **Implications for Arsenal**
– **Title Race Impact:**
The draw leaves Arsenal six points behind Liverpool, having played one more game. With Liverpool scoring a dramatic late win over Brentford earlier in the day, the pressure on Arsenal has intensified.
– **Defensive Concerns:**
Arteta will be frustrated by the defensive lapses that allowed Villa back into the game, particularly the marking errors that led to Watkins’ equalizer.
– **Missed Opportunities:**
Despite dominating possession and creating chances, Arsenal failed to convert late opportunities, underscoring their lack of composure in key moments.
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### **Aston Villa’s Resilience**
Unai Emery’s side showed great character to fight back from 2-0 down, earning a valuable point against a top side. The performances of Tielemans and Watkins were crucial, while Martinez’s late heroics ensured Villa left North London with something to show for their efforts.
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### **What’s Next?**
– **Arsenal:**
Arteta’s men must regroup quickly, as they face a must-win scenario in their next matches to stay in the title hunt.
– **Aston Villa:**
Emery’s side will look to build on this momentum as they continue their impressive campaign.
This result highlights the unpredictable nature of the Premier League and raises further questions about Arsenal’s ability to mount a sustained title challenge.
