Arsenal ended a four-game winless run as they beat Aston Villa in a six-goal thriller in Birmingham. The Gunners needed two goals in second half stoppage time to beat the Villans, who lead this fixture 2-1 at half time.
This was Aston Villa manager Unai Emery’s first league clash against his former club, and the hosts took the lead in the 5th minute through a lovely finish from Ollie Watkins. Arsenal hit back through Bukayo Saka, only for Philippe Coutinho to restore Villa’s advantage.
The Gunners were poor in the first half, but came back roaring after the interval. Zinchenko’s fine effort saw them draw level, but a bunch of misses from the likes of Eddie Nketiah, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel meant that the footy score stayed 2-2 as the game entered stoppage time.
Medio Jorginho, a winter acquisition from Chelsea, then smashed one in from long range that took a deflection off Emi Martinez. As Villa went up for a corner, Arsenal attacked on the counter and Gabriel Martinelli scored to see the Gunners run out 4-2 winners.
The result, coupled with Man City’s 1-1 draw at Forest, means that Mikel Arteta’s side now have a two-point lead over the Citizens. They also have a game in hand over Pep Guardiola’s defending champions.
