Arsenal's grip on the Premier League summit loosened dramatically on Sunday after a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium. The loss, sealed by a 95th-minute strike from Emiliano Buendia, has thrown the title race wide open and left manager Mikel Arteta to pick up the pieces.
Last-Gasp Agony for the Gunners
The match, which took place on December 6, 2025, saw Unai Emery's Aston Villa execute a perfect smash-and-grab. Matty Cash gave the visitors a first-half lead, capitalising on a period of Villa dominance. Arsenal responded quickly after the break, with Leandro Trossard equalising to seemingly set the stage for a tense finish.
However, deep into added time, Argentine attacker Emiliano Buendia delivered the decisive blow, firing past the Arsenal goalkeeper to snatch all three points. The result condemned Arsenal to only their second league defeat of the season, but its timing could not have been worse.
Arteta's Disappointment and Analysis
A visibly frustrated Mikel Arteta addressed the media post-match, his disappointment clear. "Obviously we are extremely disappointed with the way we lost the game," the Spaniard told Arsenal's official website. He was quick to credit the opposition, adding, "I want to congratulate Villa because they are a really good side."
Arteta pinpointed uncharacteristic errors as a key factor in the loss. "We had some difficulties in the first half, especially with some very unusual giveaways that we have given after regaining the ball, which is a really dangerous moment against them," he analysed. Despite the setback, the manager expressed faith in his squad's resilience, stating that this experience would ultimately make them stronger.
Premier League Landscape Shifts
The implications of this result are significant for the title race. Before the match, Arsenal enjoyed a five-point cushion at the top. This defeat, coupled with Manchester City's subsequent victory over Sunderland, has dramatically changed the dynamics. Villa's win propelled them to second place, just three points behind Arsenal, while City closed the gap further.
Arteta acknowledged the increased pressure, admitting that the congested table is a testament to the Premier League's competitiveness. The defeat was compounded by an injury update, with centre-back Cristhian Mosquera confirmed to be out for weeks, adding to the team's defensive worries.
Arsenal must now regroup quickly, with a UEFA Champions League fixture against Club Brugge in Belgium on the horizon. How they respond to this domestic setback could define their season, as the race for the Premier League trophy intensifies.
