Arteta Laments Arsenal's Late Collapse as Buendia Fires Villa to Dramatic Victory
Mikel Arteta admitted Arsenal had only themselves to blame after a dramatic stoppage-time strike from Emi Buendia sealed a 2-1 win for Aston Villa at Villa Park, dragging the hosts firmly back into the Premier League title race.
Arsenal looked poised to earn at least a point after Leandro Trossard cancelled out Matty Cash’s first-half opener. But deep into added time, the Gunners failed to deal with a long ball launched forward by former Arsenal goalkeeper Emi Martínez an error Arteta described as “painful” allowing Buendia to pounce and spark wild celebrations around the stadium.
“We started the second half really well and were dominant,” Arteta told TNT Sports. “But then the same issues returned. We gave the ball away in bad areas and allowed them too much space. A long goal kick, second ball, and failure to clear… individual actions and chaos in the box, and you end up losing it. It’s painful.”
The defeat ends Arsenal’s impressive 18-match unbeaten run in all competitions, a streak stretching back to August. It also prevents them from extending their lead at the top of the table, with Villa now just three points behind and rapidly emerging as serious title contenders.
Arteta insisted his players must maintain perspective as the pace at the top intensifies.
“Every week will be like this. The margins are so small,” he warned. “Certain standards today individual levels weren’t there in some cases. But the consistency the group has shown has been incredible. We have to go again.”
On the opposite touchline, Unai Emery hailed one of Villa’s biggest victories of the season one that capped their seventh consecutive win in all competitions, a remarkable turnaround after their poor start to the campaign.
“So happy,” the Villa manager said. “We finished this week playing how we need to competing, adapting, being aggressive, getting into the box. Villa Park is special. The supporters transmit energy to us. Today they helped us respond when it mattered.”
Emery insisted his squad will remain grounded despite their surge up the table.
“We’re going game by game,” he added. “The Premier League is our priority, but we want to compete in every competition. Today the team responded in a fantastic way.”
Buendia’s winner his first league goal after returning from long-term injury adds further fuel to Villa’s unexpected title charge. Meanwhile, Arsenal faces the challenge of regaining momentum as the festive fixture schedule ramps up.
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