The Premier League returned this weekend with an important matchup as Aston Villa faced off against Mikel Arteta's Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
Aston Villa held seventh place in the league standings and were looking to find their rhythm this season. Meanwhile, Arsenal were enjoying a strong campaign and sat in second place. They were eager to maintain their winning momentum. Aston Villa aimed for an updet, while Arsenal seeked to capitalise on their current form heading into the fixture.
Arsenal bottles their lead; settles for a draw
Arsenal seized control of the match with an early goal in the 35th minute. Gabriel Martinelli lunged to intercept a careless Maatsen, converting a delicious cross from Leandro Trossard on the left. Despite Martinez's valiant effort to deny the shot, the referee confirmed that the ball had indeed crossed the line.
Shortly after, Arsenal cemented their dominance by doubling the lead in the 55th minute through Kai Havertz. Trossard took on Cash down the left flank and delivered yet another excellent cross into the final third. Havertz struck with conviction, volleying the ball from five yards out past Martinez, who, despite getting a hand on it, couldn't prevent the goal.
Aston Villa struck back in the 60th minute when Lucas Digne delivered a brilliant cross into the Arsenal box, allowing Youri Tielemans to connect with a breathtaking diving header.
Just eight minutes later, Ollie Watkins equalised for Aston Villa, slotting in a precise sidefoot volley at the far post. In the 87th minute, Mikel Merino thundered a goal past Raya but it was disallowed as it touched Kai Havertz's hands on its route to the back of the net.
explanation
"The Arsenal goal was awarded on-field. The VAR established that the ball hit Havertz's arm immediately before entering the goal and recommended that the goal was disallowed," explained the Premier League on X.
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