Almost suffocated at the moment of truth.
Arsenal seemed to be on the safe way to win the championship in England.
The Gunners only lost once in the league until February, and played great football.
But as we approach the moments of truth in the Premier League, Mikel Arteta's machine seemed to be starting to screech.
It started with a loss to Everton earlier this month, continued with a draw against Brentford, a loss to Manchester City in the game of the season last week, and the highlight came today (Saturday) when they were held to a disappointing 2-2 draw with Aston Villa.
Already in the 5th minute Watkins gave a sign of things to come when he gave Villa an early lead, but Bokayo Saka equalized very quickly and it looked like the Gunners might not stumble again.
Philippe Coutinho again put Villa in the lead in the 31st minute, and luckily for Arsenal defender Oleksandr Zinchenko with a goal in the 61st minute was able to equalize 2:2 and keep the game alive.
Watkins.
Lamb fast, photo: Reuters
Zinchenko.
Keep Arsenal alive, Photo: Getty
Everyone seemed to be coming to terms with another disappointing performance from the Gunners, and then the 93rd minute arrived.
Jorginho, who only joined in January, unleashed a spectacular kick outside the box - the ball hit the crossbar and entered the net from the back of goalkeeper Divo Martinez.
Dramatic 2:3 for Arsenal.
Immediately after, Villa sent everyone up to equalize again, but it was Gabriel Martinelli who took advantage to score the fourth (98).
So the gunners temporarily return to first place in the table with a difference of points over City (who will play tonight against Nottingham), and they also have a game missing.
But what will mostly encourage them, is the fact that they managed to pull out a victory in a game where nothing went their way, and in a period of crisis.
Jorginho.
Celebrating, photo: Getty
Arsenal.
This is how it looked until the 93rd minute,
Arsenal.
This is how it ended, photo: Reuters
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