Arsenal’s remarkable run of dominance came to a dramatic and heartbreaking end Saturday as Aston Villa sealed a sensational 2–1 victory at Villa Park, courtesy of a stoppage-time strike that sent shockwaves through the Premier League title race.
What will hurt Mikel Arteta and his players most is not just the defeat itself, but the crushing manner in which it unfolded. With the match seemingly headed for a 1–1 draw—a result Arsenal would likely have accepted after a tense second half—Villa delivered a decisive blow at the death.
In the 95th minute, chaos erupted in the Arsenal penalty area. Goalkeeper David Raya produced two outstanding point-blank saves to keep the Gunners level, but the danger wasn’t cleared. The loose ball rolled invitingly to substitute Emi Buendía, who, with brilliant precision, curled a low effort through a crowd of players and into the bottom corner. It was the last meaningful kick of the game.
The defeat marks Arsenal’s first loss since August, a streak that had fuelled belief in their title credentials and strengthened their position at the top of the table. That momentum has now been abruptly halted, with immediate implications for both their league standing and their psychological edge.
For Arteta’s side, the challenge now extends beyond the points dropped. The emotional toll of conceding so late—and so dramatically—will linger. Their response in the coming fixtures will be crucial as they attempt to regain rhythm, restore confidence, and reassert themselves in an increasingly competitive title race.
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