By Korede James
Arsenal missed the chance to close the gap on Liverpool as they let slip a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Aston Villa in the English Premier League on Saturday at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners looked to be cruising to victory after Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz scored in either half to take them 2-0 up.
But Youri Tielemans and Olie Watkins struck to help Villa to a share of the spoils.
The draw means Arsenal are on 44 points, six points behind Liverpool who have a game in hand.
Mikel Arteta’s side needed to put the pressure on Liverpool who needed two stoppage time goals to beat Brentford 2-0 earlier on Saturday.
After dominating the early exchanges Arsenal got rewarded in the 35th minute through Martinelli.
After receiving a pass down on the left, Leandro Trossard beat his marker and sent in a cross which Martinelli connected with.
Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez got a hand to the ball but could not stop it from crossing the line.
Just like in the first half, Arsenal were on the front foot in the second half and their positive start paid off on 55 minutes as Havertz finished off a cross from Trossard.
After going 2-0 down, Villa came out of their shells and started causing Arsenal problems.
Unai Emery’s side eventually got their goal on 60 minutes thanks to Tielemans who nodded home Lucas Digne’s cross.
Villa continued to push for the leveller and got their reward on 68 minutes, this time off Watkins who slotted home unmarked inside the box from a cross by Matty Cash.
From then on it was Arsenal as they came all out to get the winner but could not go past a resolute Villa backline.
With two minutes left Havertz thought he had put Arsenal 3-2 up but his effort was ruled out by VAR for handball.
