Arsenal missed the chance to go back to the top of the Premier League after losing 1-0 away at Aston Villa.
Unai Emery exacted revenge on his former side by clinching a club-record 15th successive league win – a run which started after losing 4-2 to the Gunners last season.
Villa’s victory ensured they moved to within two points of first-placed Liverpool, who completed a dramatic comeback at Crystal Palace at lunchtime.
LIBPOOL, TOP OF THE LEAGUE
— The Anfield Wrap (@TheAnfieldWrap) December 9, 2023
Bukayo Saka spurned an early chance to take the lead at one end and was duly punished when Villa went down the other end and broke the deadlock with five minutes played. Leon Bailey twisted and turned his way past a couple of Arsenal bodies before pulling the ball back for John McGinn to finish after keeping his cool from close range.
SUPER JOHN MCGINNNNNNNNN 🔥 pic.twitter.com/PvERh1gJSL
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 9, 2023
4 – John McGinn has scored four goals in the Premier League this season, his best return in a single campaign in the competition. Vision. pic.twitter.com/HfRAbXRTGE
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 9, 2023
WHAT IS UNAI COOKINGGGGG #avfc #AVLARS
— Quentin Gesp (@quentin_gesp) December 9, 2023
Arsenal were looking disjointed and were making basic errors across the pitch, though Martin Odegaard brought a fine save out of Emiliano Martinez and Gabriel Martinelli was causing Villa’s right-hand side problems.
Don’t think people realize how good of a save that is from Emi Martinez.
That was unbelievable to predict what Odegaard was going to do. World class goalkeeping.
— EiF (@EiFSoccer) December 9, 2023
Emi Martinez has read 2-3 shots pretty early today
— Manas (@watmanAFC) December 9, 2023
I don’t miss the Emi Martinez show, but hard to ignore his quality shot-stopping qualities.
— LE GROVE (@LeGrove) December 9, 2023
The Gunners’ first-half struggles were summed up by William Saliba passing the ball out of play for a Villa corner under little pressure.
Saliba moves like his feet are tied together
— LFCJ (@Ifcj__) December 9, 2023
Saliba kicking it out for a corner great pass lad. Totally get the VVD comparisons tbf
— FSG OUT (@ShaunlfcT) December 9, 2023
On the other side of half-time, Arsenal wanted a penalty when Gabriel Jesus’ ankle was hooked upwards by compatriot Douglas Luiz, but even after a VAR check their appeals were dismissed.
Thought the contact was soft on Jesus, but when the rules are continually carried out with such a…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at 90min EN…