Two late Aston Villa goals stunned Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon to ensure Pep Gaurdiola's Manchester City are now in pole position in the Premier League title race.
Two late goals by Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins punctured Arsenal’s dreams of their first Premier League title in 20 years, as Aston Villa sealed a vital victory for their own Champions League hopes on a dramatic afternoon in North London.
Substitute Bailey struck in the 84th minute, prior to England hopeful Watkins confirming an important triumph three minutes later - that will have huge ramifications at the top of the table.
Read our Gooner Fanzine Player Ratings for Arsenal players after a hugely disappoinitng defeat.
David Raya (GK) - 5/10 - Should the keeper have done better with either late goals. That's where top quality keepers like Martinez earn their corn
Ben White (RB) - 5/10 - Nicolo Zaniolo was arguably White's nemesis this afternoon. Continually got the better of White physically helping referee David Coote to ensure the Arsenal defender's name ended up in the book as a damaging early booking that was the reason Arteta was forced to withdraw White for Tomiyasu midway through the secodn half.
William Saliba (CB) - 5/10 - Not as domiant as the reliable Frenchman normally is against Villa's smash and grab
Gabriel (CB) - 5/10 - Strangely hesistant at times and nowhere near the levels the Brazil centre-back has consistently displayed during this campaign
Oleksandr Zinchenko (LB) - 4/10 - For someone whose Arsenal career started so well, the defender's performance levels have dipped so alarmingly as to quesition whether the former City man has a long-term future in North London, as the Gunners embark on another summer of soul searching - for surely City won't drop another point this term
Declan Rice (CM) - 5/10 - Operated as a No6 after his disappointing impact against Munich as a No8 last week. Not as effective in duels while Villa enjoyed relative success in transition and finding Morgan Rogers and others further forward
Martin Odegaard (CM) - 6/10 - Impressive opening 45 mintues but faded after the break as the Gunners failed to break through an obdurate Villa backline
Kai Havertz (CM) - 6.5/10 - Spurned a couple of first half chances that Martinez eagerly prevented but it was heartening the effort in tracking back from the Gunners No9. Even if Arsenal still need a prolific long-term centre-forward. But then again, who doens't...
Bukayo Saka (RW) - 5/10 - Lively without being influential. A big week coming up for Arsenal's top goalscorer
Gabriel Jesus (ST) - 5/10 - Disappinting inffective bar one excellent strike that Martinez did well to turn away. You don wonder what his long-term futrue will be as another season's title dreams turn to dust
Leandro Trossard (LW) - 5/10 - Should have scored in the first half but his close range effort was superbly saved by Martinez. If that had gone in it would have undoubtably been a far different game. Such are the fine margins in rarefied air
Substitutes
Gabriel Martinelli - 5/10
Takehiro Tomiyasu - 5/10
Emile Smith Rowe - 5/10
Jorginho - 5/10
Eddie Nketiah - 4/10
I wish I didn't feel like this was tweet of the day... https://t.co/UliHt8oFxG
— Layth (@laythy29) April 14, 2024