Arsenal are no longer in control of their own destiny after slipping up in the Premier League title race.
After Liverpool were beaten 1-0 at home by Crystal Palace in a stunning result, the Gunners failed to capitalise on the Reds' slip-up and suffered a crushing defeat of their own. Aston Villa travelled to North London and having mostly defended for the first 45 minutes, Unai Emery's side scored twice in quick succession late in the second half to secure a 2-0 win.
Mikel Arteta now knows that his team likely need to win all of their remaining fixtures and rely on newly-installed leaders Manchester City to drop points in their last six league games. But it's not just the Premier League that Arteta is focussed on, as Wednesday's Champions League second leg against Bayern Munich is looming.
Here's a round-up of the reaction from the Emirates.
Odegaard injury update
Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Martin Odegaard was withdrawn late on against Aston Villa because he's suffered an injury just three days before Arsenal's trip to Munich. The Gunners captain was replaced by Emile Smith Rowe as part of a double substitution from Arteta which also saw midfielder Jorginho come on for striker Gabriel Jesus in a bid to seize control of the game.
Wenger breaks silence on Arsenal visit as he doubles down on title prediction
In his post-match press conference, Arteta was asked about Odegaard being brought off and replied: "He was feeling something. He was feeling something. He could not continue."
Your turn! Will Arsenal beat Bayern Munich on Wednesday? Join the debate in the comments section.
Martin Odegaard came off in the 79th minute (Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)Merson: Title "100% gone"
Arsenal can no longer win the Premier League title this season, according to Paul Merson. The ex-Gunners star was left deflated by Sunday's defeat and believes that the curtain has already come down on Arsenal's title charge.
"They are chasing the best team in the world, who do it year in, year out," Merson bemaoned. "They reel off wins - when was the last time they got beat? They just reel them off, we're not sitting here wondering how City will be for the rest of the season - they'll reel them off. If it was someone else they were chasing then every chance, but Arsenal are bang out of luck."
Read more of Merson's post-match analysis here.
Paul Merson has seen enough to make a judgement (Sky Sports)Emery proves his class
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery didn't want the focus to be on him after returning to Arsenal with a vengeance. The Spaniard visited his former club - with fans in attendance - for the first time since being sacked in December 2019 and pulled off a tactical masterclass.
But speaking to Sky Sports after orchestrating the superb win, Emery stressed: "It's not for me, it's for Aston Villa. Now we have 63 and we are closer to being in the top five. That is the only thought I had before the match.
"It was tough because Arsenal are having an incredible season. I've very proud of our work and the focus of the players, being demanding of themselves."
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