THE NOTEBOOK: Unai Emery returns to London to HAUNT Arsenal, Kai Havertz’s midfield switch-up misfires… and which Gunners stars have learned from their mistakes?
Aston Villa tightened their grip on securing a Champions League spot after they claimed a 2-0 victory against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
After neither team could break the deadlock, with Youri Tielemans rattling the bar in the second half, substitute Leon Bailey would get the beakthrough for the Villans, thumping a low strike into the bottom-left corner.
Unai Emery’s side doubled their lead just two minutes later, with Ollie Watkins breaking through Arsenal’s defence before dinking the ball over David Raya to seal victory.
It was heartache for the Gunners, who missed out on leapfrogging Manchester City to return to the top of the league after Liverpool had been beaten by Crystal Palace earlier on Sunday.
Mail Sports Isaan Khan brings you seven things you might have missed from the Gunners’ loss to Aston Villa.
Arsenal dropped points in the title race after being beaten 2-0 by Aston Villa on Sunday
Leon Bailey (right) scored the opener and helped the Villans tighten their grip on fourth place
Mikel Arteta’s side missed out on an opportunity to go top of the league after Liverpool lost
Emery loves a trip to the capital
Aston Villa’s love affair with facing London clubs continues. The Midlands club are now unbeaten in 10 Premier League away games against London sides — their longest run without defeat in the capital in their league history.
Sunday’s victory was also Villa’s second against Arsenal, the only team to turn over the Gunners twice in the league this season.
Two servings of revenge delivered by the north London club’s former manager Unai Emery.
Unai Emery’s side are now unbeaten in their last 10 away league meetings with London clubs
Havertz enjoys success but ultimately misfires
Kai Havertz started in midfield after a run of five goals and four assists in seven league matches — at centre forward.
It made his position change an interesting one. The German found himself in a number of one-on-one chances with goalkeeper Emi Martinez, cleverly darting from deep, though was unable to capitalise.
In the first half he completed all 11 of his attempted passes and had three shots. All well and good, but not his finishing. That was missing, his positional change both a success and misfire.
David Raya and Gabriel had clearly learnt from their ‘kid’s mistake’ on Tuesday night against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
The centre back picked the ball up that day after not realising it was in play, as Raya had kicked the ball to him.
On Sunday, the goalkeeper made sure to distribute it with his hands to his team-mate as usual.
Kai Hacvertz played in midfield today and completed some good passes but failed to score
Gabriel clearly handled the ball from a goal kick during Arsenal’s game against Bayern
New season, same Arsenal?
By 32 matches in the previous campaign, the Arsenal slump was underway. A 3-3 draw against Southampton had occurred, with Manchester City in second place, just one point behind the Gunners.
Liverpool are experiencing a similar period now, dropping points in two successive league matches.
This Arsenal defeat against Villa dredged up memories of 12 months ago, and was particularly striking with it being on the same day as their Merseyside rivals’ loss.
Is this deja vu?
This Arsenal defeat against Villa dredged up memories of 12 months ago. Is this deja vu?
Watkins is on fire!
Ollie Watkins has scored 19 goals in the league this season. That is more than any other Villa player in a single campaign in Premier League history.
What a season he is having. And what demand Emery’s side will have to fend off in the summer transfer window.
Saliba’s appearance record
William Saliba was a key factor to Arsenal’s title capitulation in the last campaign, his injury kickstarting a downward trend.
He made a 43rd start of the season — the most of any Premier League player this season.
Ollie Watkins has scored 19 goals in the league this season, a record tally for his club
Granit Xhaka celebrates winning the Bundesliga, as his old side Arsenal suffer defeat by Villa
Xhaka on cloud nine!
While Arsenal were capitulating, their old captain Granit Xhaka was celebrating his side Bayer Leverkusen securing the Bundesliga title after a thumping 5-0 win over Werder Bremen.
It was Leverkusen’s first league title in their 120-year history. When Xhaka watches the Arsenal highlights with his medal in tow, he will surely recognise that feeling of losing in a title run-in all too well after what happened last season.
