Post-Match Report

Match Report: Arsenal 3-2 Aston Villa

Aston Villa -

Emirates Stadium
Premier League
Premier League
  Arsenal
      
                  Pepe (59 pen)
                   C. Chambers (81)
                   P. Aubameyang (84)
            
   crest
Arsenal
Pepe (59 pen)
C. Chambers (81)
P. Aubameyang (84)
3 2
  Aston Villa
      
              J. McGinn (20)
               Wesley (61)
          
   crest
Aston Villa
J. McGinn (20) Wesley (61)

WHAT HAPPENED

We twice came from behind to earn a memorable win at the Emirates, despite playing most of the game with 10 men.

It was a result that looked unlikely when our sluggish start culminatied in the visitors taking the lead. John McGinn left his markers flat-footed, and turned in Anwar El Ghazi's cross from close range.

It was a sloppy goal to concede, and our task got even harder when Ainsley Maitland-Niles was dismissed for a second bookable offence shortly before half-time. Referee Jon Moss insisted he caught Neil Taylor with his follow through after making the tackle.

Bukayo Saka was taken off at the break to allow Unai Emery to bring on Calum Chambers at the back. Eighteen-year-old Saka had followed up his man-of-the match display in the Europa League on Thursday with another performance of promise on his first Premier League start, setting up a great chance for Maitland-Niles after just two minutes.

Despite our numerical disadvantage we started the second half strongly, and found an equaliser after Matteo Guendouzi was brought down in the box. Nicolas Pepe stepped up to smash home his first Arsenal goal from 12 yards, but his joy was short-lived.

Barely a minute later Villa re-established their lead, Wesley squeezed home his shot at the near post from a Jack Grealish cross.

The visitors were then forced back, attempting to soak up the pressure as we piled forward.

Roared on by the Emirates crowd we drew level through Chambers - the defender coming up with a superb, improvised finish inside the box.

It was game on, and Aubameyang raised the roof when he thumped home his free-kick from just outside the area, after he himself was brought down.

It had been far from plain-sailing, but the three points were assured, moving us into the top four.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Click here for our play-by-play commentary of the match

WHAT IT MEANS

WHAT'S NEXT

It's just two days until our next game, the Carabao Cup third round clash at home to Nottingham Forest on Tuesday at 7.45pm.

Our next Premier League fixture is one of the biggest of the season, away to Manchester United, next Monday at 8pm

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