Arsenal surrendered a two-goal advantage to settle for a dramatic 2-2 draw against Aston Villa in a pulsating Premier League encounter on Saturday night.
Despite taking control of the match with goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz before the 55th minute, the Gunners were unable to secure all three points as Villa mounted a spirited fightback.
Arsenal thought they had clinched the winner in the dying moments when Havertz found the back of the net, but the goal was disallowed after VAR revealed he had handled Mikel Merino’s shot in the buildup.
The game turned on its head after Youri Tielemans headed home a cross from Matty Cash on the hour mark, reducing the deficit to 2-1. Just eight minutes later, Villa striker Ollie Watkins delivered a stunning volley to level the scores.
The draw leaves Arsenal six points behind league leaders Liverpool, who have played one game fewer. Meanwhile, Aston Villa move up to seventh, trailing fourth-placed Newcastle by just two points in the race for a Champions League spot.
