Arsenal passed up another opportunity to close the gap on the league leaders, Liverpool, after a 2-2 draw at home against Aston Villa.
Mikel Arteta's men attacked the first phase of the game with intensity and earned the lead in the 34th minute as Gabriel Martinelli made contact with a cross from Leandro Trossard. The start of the second half hammered home that intent and Kai Havertz hit the back of the net to double the lead.
However, the Gunners gave away this position of power in eight minutes. First, Youri Tielemans threw his head at a cross from Lucas Digne to score, and only moments later, he slammed the post. Then, Matty Cash connected with Ollie Watkins at the far post, and he scored in the 68th minute.
Controversy arose at the end of the second half when VAR disallowed a goal from Mikel Merino's volley because Havertz handled the ball with his arm. In the end, Arsenal could not find a third goal.
Here are our ratings on the performances of the Arsenal players in this contest.
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Arsenal player ratings:
David Raya - 6
Raya repelled Aston Villa almost singlehandedly at points in August, but on this occasion, he could do little about the two goals that he conceded. The search for the first clean sheet of the year continues.
Excess injuries have forced Arteta's hand to trust a player who is proving his weight in gold. Lewis-Skelly is a steady presence as a left-back and should stay as a central part of the squad construction.
Gabriel Magalhães - 7
Gabriel is probably the prime candidate for player of the season at the club and again he stepped up. Watkins was not able to run riot in transition thanks to the Brazilian. Gabriel's dogged commitment could have earned an extra goal from his connection to corners at the start of the game.
Jurriën Timber - 7
In the absence of William Saliba, who was missing with a minor muscle injury, Timber filled in as the partner to Gabriel Magalhães. It was his first-ever league start in the centre of the team’s defence.
However, he put in a solid showing. The Dutchman directed Watkins away from goal on one of his breakaways in the first half, proving he is a useful acquisition as a Swiss army knife in the squad.
Thomas Partey - 5
Arsenal's poor form when Partey plays at right-back persists: his team have won one of six league games when he has started in the position. But even that context cannot condone some of his errors.
A misplaced throw-in allowed Watkins to try to lob Raya in the first half before he had a role in both of Aston Villa's goals. A sloppy backpass conceded possession in the buildup to Tielemans' header and Watkins ran off the back of him to score the equalizer. Some sharp passes cannot mask these mistakes.
Mikel Merino - 6
It was more of the same from Merino. He was part of the excellent work that took place on the left side of the attack without being a standout figure. He also failed to track Tielemans' movement from the goal and fatigued as the second half wore on: a prominent part of his previous performances.
Declan Rice - 7
Rice remains a general in the middle of the park. His clean ball striking continues to take plaudits— especially at set-pieces but also in open play. His execution of the basics always leads by example.
Martin Ødegaard - 5
The absence of Bukayo Saka has shone a light on Ødegaard to be the leader of the offense. But, he has buckled a bit under this responsibility. After acting as the orchestrator in the North London derby, this was a quiet showing and he could not kick the offense into high gear at the end of the game.
Leandro Trossard - 8
For once, the left wing was arguably the most productive side of the field. Trossard tormented Aston Villa as a substitute in August and troubled them again from the start. Two assists capped a dangerous display and he might have taken all three points at the death with another close-range finish.
Kai Havertz - 6
Havertz has had a difficult time at the start of 2025 and it would not be fair to say that this was one of his most outstanding days. However, it was functional and fans will hope his goal boosts his spirits.
Martinelli might have put in his most decisive display as a right winger since he started filling in this position about a month ago. He baited Ian Maatsen into picking up a yellow card, gave depth to the attack with his movement, and scored the opening goal thanks to his hunger to crash the back post.
Substitutes
Raheem Sterling - 5
Sterling's introduction seemed to be an act of desperation. The winger was willing to go on mazy dribbles down the right wing but his lack of success stirred up frustration among fans at the stadium.
