After defeating ManCity, Emery tore apart Arsenal too! The Premier League has a new leader
Aston Villa also set an excellent record in the process.
On Saturday, Arsenal lost their lead in the English Premier League, failing to defeat Aston Villa on their turf. The hosts started the match quite powerfully, playing the ball from the back. Arsenal's pressing initially did not work. Aston Villa players overcame this pressure and had the opportunity to attack in space. McGinn's goal in the seventh minute seemed quite logical.
Not that any of the Arsenal players made a gross error, but it turned out that Emery's team (the former coach of the Londoners) went from one goal to the other and practically encountered no resistance. Quick passes led to McGinn finding himself right in front of the goal – he was allowed to take a shot on the turn. White had to deal with it, changing positions with central defender Saliba during the episode. It seemed like the defenders lacked communication.
The end of the first half was in Arsenal's favor, attacking almost all the time through the left flank – via Martinelli. In one of the episodes, he lobbed the goalkeeper, but a Villa defender cleared the ball from practically the goal line. Another run down the left flank ended with Jesus rolling the ball to Edegoru, but Martinez handled the shot. By the way, another former Arsenal player.
The second half continued just as lively. Again, the moments were more for the visitors. Jesus got a foot in and appealed for a penalty. The main referee saw no grounds for a penalty, and VAR, reviewing the episode, agreed. The contact on the Brazilian's leg was there but genuinely minimal.
Soon, the ball hit Aston Villa's goal post – deflected by their own defender. Then, practically from 11 meters, Edegor applied himself but missed. Saka then scored, but the goal had to be canceled due to a slight offside by the Englishman. Arsenal's head coach on the bench covered his face when he saw missed opportunities. Arteta was disqualified due to his third yellow card, which he received while celebrating the winning goal in the match against Luton.
Arsenal had enough chances to equalize (12 shots, five on target), but they couldn't score. Not even Havertz's goal helped, as it also had to be canceled. This time, due to a handball – there was a whole series of ball-to-hand situations, but the first such touch was from the German. Liverpool tops the Premier League table, ahead of Arsenal by one point. Aston Villa is already one point behind Arsenal, having won in the Premier League against the defending champion and the runner-up in three days. They also secured their 15th consecutive home win – an impressive record for a non-top club.
Published by Patrick Jane
09.12.2023