It may have been a crucial weekend in the title race as Mikel Arteta’s side failed to take their chance to move two points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table following their 2-0 loss. -0 against Aston Villa.
Leon Bailey smashed a low shot into the bottom left corner of the goal in the 83rd minute of the match after Arsenal failed to deal with Lucas Digne’s cross that crossed the goal.
Ollie Watkins would return three minutes later to score a sensational breakaway goal, launching the ball over David Raya to seal the victory. Aston Villa could have sealed the victory early in the second half after Youri Tielemans He crashed a long-range shot against the crossbar.
Villa subsequently strengthened their grip on a place in the Champions League next season and moved three points clear of Tottenham in fourth place after Spurs were beaten 4-0 by Newcastle on Saturday afternoon.
Mail Sports Isaan Khan offers his player ratings as Arsenal drop points in the title race.
Leon Bailey scored to help Aston Villa complete a late 2-0 win against Arsenal on Sunday.
Ollie Watkins followed two minutes later with an excellent breakaway goal to seal the victory.
Arsenal look to lead the league after Liverpool were beaten by Crystal Palace
ARSENAL (4-3-3)
DAVID RAYA – 6
Both Ollie Watkins and Youri Tielemans scored on goal twice. His defense here didn’t help.
BEN WHITE – 6.5
Great defense to contain Watkins on a counterattack after 21 minutes.
GUILLERMO SALIBA – 5.5
He left Leon Bailey free at the back post and the midfielder scored. Positioning was questionable for the second goal. He will be bitterly disappointed.
GABRIEL – 6
He made the mistake that allowed Watkins to hit a post.
OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO – 5.5
Good link-up play, but his weak attempt to dribble out of danger left Tielemans inches away from scoring.
David Raya looked strong at the beginning of the game, but his defense didn’t help him later.
Gabriel was booked in the first half by referee David Coote for a foul on Morgan Rogers.
Oleksandr Zinchenko allowed Youri Tielemans to take a dangerous shot in the second half.
MARTIN ODEGAARD - 8.5
He pulled the strings in the center of the field. I also got caught in the tackle. Arsenal’s best player.
DECLAN RICE – 6
Important without the ball for his runs and positioning, and effective in pressing. But he needed to have done more with the ball on third offense.
KAI HAVERTZ – 6
Some good movement, darting deftly across the backline from deep, but he was missing that finish. This seriously hampered Arsenal at times.
Martin Odegaard throws his hadns into the air in frustration after his team suffered defeat.
Declan Rice fights with Rogers, and the two face off in midfield throughout the game.
BUKAYO SAKA – 6.5
Lively and caused numerous problems in the first half, but faded in the second half.
GABRIEL JESUS - 6
Had a good header chance at first that went wide and a chance saved after 62 minutes.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 6
Isolated on the left wing so he couldn’t put his shot into play, which is usually good.
Substitutes
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 6
He didn’t have many opportunities with the ball.
TAKEHIRO TOMIYASU – 6.5
I made tackles when necessary.
Manager
MIKEL ARTETA – 5.5
His team lost the same day as Liverpool. A hard blow in the title race.
Bukayo Saka failed to make a big impact on the match, but he had a couple of chances.
Gabriel Jesús had a couple of chances and tested Emi Martínez with a long shot
Mikel Arteta cut a distraught figure on the touchline after his team failed to secure victory.
ASTON VILLA (4-4-2)
EMI MARTINEZ – 7.5
He made some crucial saves today and Saka and Jesus tested him at some points. Exceptional save to deny Trossard in the first 45 minutes.
EZRI KONSA – 7
He coped well with the pace that Trossard possesses on the left flank. He got ahead at times and it was another attacking outlet for Villa.
DIEGO CARLOS – 7
Solid on the back. He was imperious under the high ball and shows that he can be one of the best when it comes to defending set pieces on his day.
Martínez was tested on several occasions during the match and stood firm for Aston Villa
Ezri Konsa had an excellent game and kept Arsenal’s forwards calm on the right wing.
PAU TORRES – 6.5
An astute defender who gave Arsenal little respite in the Villa area.
LUCAS DIGNE – 7
He provided the cross that allowed Bailey to score the first goal. He has a great left foot and today he was brilliant up and down the left flank.
MORGAN ROGERS – 6.5
He had a tough battle against Rice in the center of the park today, but showed his quality both on and off the ball.
Rogers had a tough battle against Rice but was excellent on both offense and defense.
John McGinn played a slightly deeper role than usual, but showed off his always impressive leadership skills.
JOHN McGINN – 7
Today he played a little deeper than usual, but maintained his usual dominance in midfield. McGinn’s leadership shined again today, forcing his team to continue advancing towards Arsenal.
TURI TIELEMANS – 8
Perhaps he should have put the visitors 1-0 up after his second-half shot hit the crossbar.
NICOLO ZANIOLO – 7.5
Perhaps one of his best games this season. He dominated Ben White with his pace on the left wing.
DIABY MOUSSA – 6.5
He didn’t get on the scoreboard and struggled to impact the game. Hooked after 60 minutes.
OLLIE WATKINS – 8.5
Sensational goal. Sensational ending. He just can’t stop scoring. After he and Dominic Solanke scored this weekend, Gareth Southgate has to think seriously about what to do.
Nicolo Zaniolo had perhaps his best game with the Aston Villa shirt, on the left wing
SUBSTITUTES
ALEX MORENO – 6
He came on after 80 minutes and helped turn things around in Villa’s favor.
LEON BAILEY – 7
The man who changed the game for the visitors. It was an excellent goal that put them ahead and their ninth in the Premier League this season.