da heads bet： Mikel Arteta's side became the latest visiting team to fall at Villa Park as their attacking players came up short after conceding early
da roleta： Arsenal came back down to earth after their emotional win at Luton on Tuesday as they became the latest side to come unstuck against Aston Villa, losing 1-0 as they slipped from the top of the Premier League table.
Villa captain John McGinn scored the only goal of the game after just six minutes as he finished superbly on the turn after the home side worked the ball down the Arsenal left. The victory for Unai Emery's side was their 15th successive home triumph, and came just three days after they defeated Manchester City at the same venue as they remain third.
Arsenal fought hard to work their way back into the game, and both Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus forced Emi Martinez into action in the first half, but the visitors from north London struggled to build up a head of steam.
They dominated far more after the break, and Odegaard wasted a great chance when he fired wide when well-placed, while Kai Havertz had a last-minute equaliser ruled out for handball, meaning they couldn't find the late goal that they have been reliant on scoring so often this campaign already.
GOAL rates Arsenal's players from Villa Park…
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David Raya (6/10):
An early dropped cross aside, was solid after Tuesday's horror-show at Luton. Had no chance with McGinn's goal.
Ben White (5/10):
Perhaps could have got tighter to McGinn for the opener, but looked to make amends thereafter with a number of overlapping runs forward. Couldn't create anything of note, though.
William Saliba (4/10):
May not have had a more uncomfortable 45 minutes as an Arsenal player as Watkins gave him in the first half. Looked to be shaken by the England striker, and though he recovered slightly after the break, was far from his best.
Gabriel Magalhaes (6/10):
Looked far more solid than his partner Saliba at the heart of the Gunners' defence. Calm in possession and made a number of headed clearances.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (5/10):
Moved between left-back and midfield, and his absence from the flank played a part in Villa's opener. Played the odd incisive pass, but the home side's offside trap meant few led to anything of note.
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Declan Rice (6/10):
Looked to dictate the tempo, but Arsenal's forwards didn't make the runs he needed ahead of him.
Martin Odegaard (4/10):
Misplaced a number of early passes and wasted Arsenal's two best chances of the game. First was well saved by Martinez, but should have been further in the corner, while his second-half effort flew wide when it looked easier to hit the target.
Kai Havertz (7/10):
Another encouraging performance from the Germany international. Showed some neat touches, which suggests his confidence is returning. Unlucky to have his late equaliser ruled out for handball, even if the decision was the correct one by the letter of the law.
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Bukayo Saka (5/10):
Couldn't get properly going, either because of poor play by himself or because of the physical treatment he received. Struggled to create much of note.
Gabriel Jesus (6/10):
Worked tirelessly up front and caused the Villa centre-backs problems with his movement. Stung Martinez's palms late in the first half, but otherwise didn't get a clear sight of goal.
Gabriel Martinelli (4/10):
Struggled with the timing of his runs against Villa's high defensive lines, and when he did break the offside trap, he lacked quality with his final ball. Replaced for the final 20 minutes.
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Leandro Trossard (5/10):
Wasted a couple of good positions after replacing Martinelli.
Eddie Nketiah (N/A):
Couldn't find an equaliser in his 10 minutes on the pitch.
Reiss Nelson (N/A):
Thrown on in stoppage-time.
Mikel Arteta (5/10):
Could only watch from the stands due to his touchline ban. Perhaps should have set his midfield up a little more conservatively to keep the game tight early, but his team were dominant and just missed key chances.