Arsenal Overtake Liverpool, Draw 2-2 With Aston Villa

Arsenal's players against Aston Villa in the Premier League continued, Sunday 19 January 22024 (@premierelegue)

JAKARTA Arsenal failed to take advantage of the opportunity to approach Liverpool in the race for the Premier League title. The Gunners were only able to draw 2-2 against Aston Villa in the match which took place on Sunday 19 January WIB.

Arsenal had a 2-0 lead through Gabriel Martinelli's goal in the 35th minute and Kai Havertz in the 55th minute. However, Aston Villa bounced back through goals from Youi Tielemans in the 60th minute and totaling Watkins in the 68th minute, which thwarted Arsenal's ambition to narrow the gap with Liverpool.

Previously, Liverpool beat Brentford with a score of 2-0 thanks to Darwin Nunez's two dramatic goals in extra time. The win led Liverpool to lead the Premier League standings with 50 points, six points ahead of Arsenal who were in second place.

Arsenal have lost 12 points from the leading position this season, including this match. Without mainstay defender William Saliba and strikers like Bukayo Saka and injured Gabriel Jesus, Arsenal struggled to maintain their lead.

The Gunners even scored their third goal through Mikel Merino in the 87th minute, but it was disallowed after VAR showed the ball hit Kai Havertz's arm.

Unlike Liverpool, which has a squad depth, Arsenal looks fragile without a number of key players. Liverpool were even able to rely on Darwin Nunez, their fifth-choice striker, to score important goals.

This result is a blow to Arsenal in the Premier League title race, as well as providing significant benefits for Liverpool, who still have one game left more than their competitors.