ARSENAL 3-2 ASTON VILLA: VAR award Kai Havertz’s disallowed late goal vs Aston Villa as Arteta men went homw with three points
Arsenal were denied a late winner as Aston Villa came from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Merino’s strike hit Kai Havertz and beat Emiliano Martinez in the final minutes, but that goal was ruled out by VAR after replays showed the ball had hit the arm of Havertz.
The Gunners had appeared in control within ten minutes of the second-half, when Kai Havertz volleyed in to double the lead after Gabriel Martinelli had given the hosts a half-time advantage.
However, it turned into a damaging evening for Arsenal’s title hopes, just a couple of hours after Liverpool had scored twice in stoppage-time to edge past Brentford.
Youri Tielemans headed in just five minutes after Havertz’s goal to get Villa right back in the match, and Ollie Watkins then took advantage of some incredibly poor marking from Thomas Partey to volley in and leave the Emirates stunned.
Arsenal had just over 20 minutes to find a late winner and Merino thought he had provided just that, only for VAR to halt the celebrations in the stands.
Seven minutes were added on and Merino was inches away from a goal that would have stood, when his strike smacked off the post, before Martinez denied Leandro Trossard from the rebound.
Villa held on for a point, one that leaves Arsenal six points behind Liverpool having played a game more.
Mikel Arteta’s actions in the Aston Villa draw against Arsenal were “frankly ludicrous”, Keith Hackett has said.
The Gunners manager was booked after complaints towards the fourth official in the 2-2 against Villa at The Emirates Stadium on 18 January.
Hackett hit back, insisting that Arteta needs to control himself with yet more disrespect shown towards the officials over a simple matter.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, the ex-PGMOL chief raged after the incident where Arteta was correctly punished for his actions.
“He left the technical area and was both verbally having a go and animated in his dismissive gestures towards the assistant on a throw-in decision,” Hackett said.
“Frankly ludicrous and a showing of disrespect towards the match officials.
Mikel Arteta’s actions in the Aston Villa draw against Arsenal were “frankly ludicrous”, Keith Hackett has said.
TheGunners manager was booked after complaints towards the fourth official in the 2-2 against Villa at The Emirates Stadium on 18 January.
Unai Emery was also guilty of a booking in the high-intensity draw, picking himself up a touchline ban in the process for kicking the ball away.
This is not the first incident with Arteta either, with the pressure clearly getting to him.
Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz scored the opening goals, but Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins fired back to pick up a battled point on the road.
With Champions League football set to return, injuries have started to take their toll on Aston Villa, but Emery has somewhat kept his cool throughout.
For Arteta, he seems to have some sort of complaint every week.
In other Aston Villa news, Villa are hijacking a transfer with Monchi in advanced talks over a blockbuster deal.
