Report as Arsenal secured a dramatic stoppage-time win thanks to Emiliano Martinez's own goal against his former club; Bukayo Saka and Oleksandr Zinchenko equalised twice; Gabriel Martinelli added late gloss; watch free match highlights
Sunday 19 February 2023 07:36, UK
Arsenal ended their winless run in dramatic fashion as they came from behind to beat Aston Villa 4-2 at Villa Park and move top of the Premier League table.
The Gunners were level going into stoppage time but Jorginho's strike came back off the crossbar and deflected off Emiliano Martinez into the net to spark wild celebrations, before substitute Gabriel Martinelli capped the comeback with a fourth on the breakaway.
Villa led twice in the first half through Ollie Watkins and Philippe Coutinho but Mikel Arteta's team showed their fighting spirit to level it twice through Bukayo Saka and then - just after the hour - Oleksandr Zinchenko. But the drama was still to come.
Aaron Ramsdale tipped Leon Bailey's drive against the frame of the goal and Arsenal capitalised on that escape very late on. The result moved them two points clear at the top with a game in hand over Manchester City after the champions could only draw 1-1 at Nottingham Forest.
"We showed character, resilience," Arteta told BT Sport. "In the second half we created chance after chance. We needed a magic moment and Jorginho produced it.
"After what happened a few days ago, we're so pleased to win the game. If you want to be at the top you have to win games in many different ways.
"It was absolutely bouncing [in the dressing room], it was a big effort to play less than 72 hours after result we had. I'm really pleased with the boys."
Villa have scored a higher proportion of goals in the opening quarter of an hour than any other Premier League team this season and against Arsenal they required only five minutes for Watkins to find the net. It is the fourth game in a row in which the striker has scored.
There had been a warning even before that with his speed running in behind and when William Saliba backed off and backed off he took advantage - firing low beyond Ramsdale. It was the worst start for a wobbling Arsenal but they found a response.
Saka might be in even better form than Watkins and Tyrone Mings' clearance would have looked inviting to the England winger. He lashed the ball into the net beyond an unsighted Martinez and the away support loved it. A chance to settle, to start to control.
Instead, the beautiful passing goal came from Villa. Martinez built the play, Boubacar Kamara threaded a ball through to Alex Moreno and the full-back's cross was delightfully dummied by Emi Buendia. Coutinho did the rest, scoring his first goal of the season.
Arsenal's players came out early for the second half, gathering in a huddle, out to seize the moment. Eddie Nketiah hit the crossbar with a header. Then Zinchenko brought them level following Martin Odegaard's short corner. But they still needed more.
When Odegaard missed a clear chance that looked to be it. Villa had huge opportunities of their own on the counter-attack and Bailey came so close to winning it for Villa - with celebrity supporter Tom Hanks cheering them on. He did not pick the script that awaited.
Jorginho attempted an ambitious shot from range and the ball ricocheted back off the goal, striking Martinez. The goalkeeper promptly went up the other end for a corner and was caught out on the break when Fabio Vieira unselfishly played in Martinelli.
Arteta had been facing the prospect of a fourth Premier League game without a win - a fifth in all competitions. That would have added to the sense that the momentum was with City. What happened in stoppage time changes all of that.
Arsenal will believe again.
The drama on the pitch was matched by that in the press box as there was a clash between rival analysts of the two clubs. A physical altercation between Arsenal's Miguel Molina and Aston Villa's Victor Manas after the winning goal became so heated that Molina elected to take himself away from the scene.
Asked about the incident by Sky Sports' Gary Cotterill after the game, Arteta said: "Anything that happens in the stands, we will look at it and address it and take action if necessary."
When the same question was put to Emery, the Villa boss was not yet aware of the incident. "No, I don't know," he replied. Was it acceptable? "I don't know, I am going to ask."
There was some scepticism among sections of the Arsenal support from the moment that the signing of Jorginho was mooted but that has changed now. His name was chanted tentatively early in the game at Villa Park - and raucously upon its conclusion.
The winner here will not be credited to him but no Arsenal fan will be too concerned about that. His impact was decisive. And it was about more than that one moment. His passing was impressive throughout, with Arteta praising the performance of the new arrival from Chelsea.
"He makes the rest of the people better, look better than what you actually are. He has made that huge impact already on the boys, the staff, and hopefully our fans can see that and give him the support that he needs because I thought he was tremendous today."
"Very disappointed. Very frustrated. And embarrassing to lose as much as 4-2 at home in front of our supporters. The performance collectively overall was poor. Eight goals at home in two matches is not normal. And the performance can't continue like that away or home.
"We didn't keep going in our game plan to try to control the game with ball possession, with good positioning, trying to attack not only in transition because in transition we were losing the ball and giving them chances. They were getting our balls easily and taking control.
"We were with ball possession in minute 92 and did not keep possession. We did a long ball. Gave them the ball. They attacked progressively, in the attacking third, and they scored the third goal. That is the example of the match for me. It is not what I want to build here."
Aston Villa's next outing is at home to Everton next Saturday; kick-off 3pm. Unai Emery's side then host Crystal Palace on Saturday March 4; kick-off 3pm.
Arsenal will now prepare for a trip to Leicester next Saturday; kick-off 3pm. Mikel Arteta's side then host Everton - who beat them 1-0 earlier this month - on Wednesday March 1; kick-off 7.45pm.
