Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s late free-kick sealed a comeback for Arsenal, as the Gunners beat Aston Villa 3-2 to climb to fourth place. The match showed a poor performance overall from Unai Emery’s side, but they will be pleased to have fought hard for three points.
Arsenal went down early in the 20th minute, as Anwar El Ghazi played a wonderful ball to the unmarked run of John McGinn who simply touched it into the goal for the 1-0 lead. The Gunners poor defensive showings continued, as the side looked disheartened following the effort.
To make matters worse for Arsenal, Ainsley Maitland-Niles picked up a red card in the 41st minute, getting his second yellow card for after a poor tackle on Neil Taylor.
It took until the 59th minute for Arsenal to find themselves back in the game, as Matteo Guendouzi was brought down in the box after a terrific run. Record signing Nicolas Pepe was given the penalty and scored his first Arsenal goal as he drove the ball down the center of the goal.
But the excitement did not last, as Aston Villa would go ahead only moments later as Jack Grealish made an outstanding run into the box, picking out Wesley Moraes at the near post who taps it to the far post.
Arsenal looked as if they were going to drop points again until Guendouzi played a superb cross to substitute Calum Chambers, who after fighting back for the ball he lost, tucked the ball past Tom Heaton to draw the game level.
Aubameyang’s free-kick only three minutes later would send the Emirates into a frenzy, as the striker drilled a shot over the wall and to the far post, leaving Heaton frozen in the net.
Arsenal’s late efforts see them only seven points behind first-placed Liverpool, as they face Manchester United next Monday at Old Trafford.
