Arsenal 18-game unbeaten Premier League streak shattered in agonizing fashion at Villa Park. Emiliano Buendia’s 95th-minute rocket secured a 2-1 victory for Aston Villa. Matty Cash had opened the scoring in the first half. However, Leandro Trossard levelled proceedings early in the second. But Unai Emery’s hosts, now just three points off the top, snatched all three in a chaotic finale, leaving Mikel Arteta’s Gunners reeling. The Spaniard, speaking post-match, didn’t mince words: “It is painful.”
A Tale of Two Halves
Arteta dissected the performance with characteristic candour. The first half was cagey, with Arsenal struggling on ball retention after regains. “We didn’t do that very well,” he admitted—despite creating chances. Also, a controversial non-call on a foul against Riccardo Calafiori gifted Ollie Watkins Villa’s opener. Post-interval dominance followed Trossard’s leveller. But lapses crept in: “We allowed certain open spaces” and gifted possession twice, culminating in box pandemonium for Buendia’s winner. Declan Rice’s late cross for subs Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokores nearly salvaged a point, but it wasn’t to be. “We were very, very close a few times,” Arteta reflected, praising the effort but lamenting individual standards.
Respect for Rivals, Resolve Within
No excuses flowed from the Arsenal boss who was shattered yet lauded Villa as “a really good side” adept at exploiting duels and chaos—qualities that turned the tide. On the title implications, with margins razor-thin after such a run, Arteta urged perspective: “Every week is going to be like this.” Yet, his faith in the squad remains unshaken, citing their “incredible” consistency amid injuries like Cristhian Mosquera‘s long-term absence.
Channeling the Agony Forward
“It was really difficult to take,” Arteta conceded of the manner, but the rallying cry was clear: “Use that pain to go again.” Moreover, with Champions League duties at Club Bruges looming, followed by a home clash against Wolves, Arsenal’s response will define their mettle.
As featured on GoonerNews.com
