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LONDON (AFP) – Mikel Arteta admitted that Arsenal were unrecognizable from the team that has come a long way in its first year in office when Aston Villa achieved a complete 3-0 Premier League victory at the Emirates on Sunday (8 November).
Bukayo Saka’s own goal and a double by Ollie Watkins brought Villa to sixth place, just three points off the top of the table with one game in hand.
Arsenal beat Manchester United at Old Trafford for the first time in 14 years last weekend in what seemed like the latest sign that the Gunners are heading in the right direction with Arteta.
But the Spaniard suffered the toughest joint defeat of his career as a manager in a punishing afternoon for the hosts, who were second best from start to finish.
A second straight loss at home for Arsenal sees them fall to 11th place, four points off their main goal for the season of a top four finish.
“We performed below our standards and I have to say that this is the first time I have seen us play and we were not a team,” Arteta said.
“We lost all the races, the duels and we were careless with the ball.
“It’s a frustration. It takes a lot to build momentum, to build a way of being, living and acting, and when something like this comes up, it’s hard to accept.”
Villa thought they had taken the lead in the first minute when John McGinn slammed into the roof of the net with a Jack Grealish pass.
However, after a VAR review that lasted over four minutes, the goal was ruled out for Ross Barkley in an offside position as Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno was declared interfering in the game.
VILLA RUN RIOT
Villa had lost their last two games after a spectacular start to the season that included a 7-2 win over Liverpool a month ago.
But Dean Smith’s team did not look like a lack of confidence as Arsenal struggled to cope with the movement of Grealish, Barkley and Watkins.
“We are a threat to them on the team. They are all flourishing very well, but there is more to come,” Smith said.
A Barkley pass freed Matt Targett down the left and his cross was turned into his own net by Saka as she desperately tried to prevent Trezeguet from applying the finishing touch.
Alexandre Lacazette blew Arsenal’s best chance to get back into the game when he headed in a splurge over the center from Kieran Tierney just before half-time.
There was another blow for the hosts at halftime, as 45 million pound ($ 59 million) new signing Thomas Partey had to be replaced by Ceballos due to a thigh injury.
Villa remained the biggest threat in the second half when Leno was forced to save by Trezeguet and Grealish.
The visitors finally ended the game as a competition with 18 minutes remaining when Watkins, who scored a hat-trick in the famous victory over Liverpool, headed an excellent volley center from Barkley.
Ceballos saved Arsenal moments later with a punt from the goal line when Grealish looked ready to score the goal his performance deserved.
A brilliant counterattack gave the scoreboard the reflection Villa deserved as Grealish advanced before feeding Watkins past Leno.
“You’ve seen it tonight and against Liverpool, we are a great team and we can beat anyone,” Watkins said.
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