Key Highlights
- By the time Emiliano Buendía clinched victory for Aston Villa with almost the final kick, it was clear Arsenal lacked the defensive solidity behind their pace-setting start; this defeat was only the fourth time since the start of 2022-23 that Mikel Arteta’s side began a league game without Gabriel Magalhães or William Saliba – and it showed.
- Cristhian Mosquera, potentially sidelined until the new year, was also absent.
- The good news for all parties – which probably extends to second-placed Manchester City – is that Arsenal and Villa will duke it out again on 30 December in the reverse fixture.
- Ben FisherMatch report: Aston Villa 2-1 Arsenal2Ramsdale faces Tyne-Wear pressureWhen Régis Le Bris studies footage of Newcastle’s slog of a 2-1 win against Burnley, Sunderland’s manager may have reason for concern for Sunday’s Tyne-Wear derby at the Stadium of Light.
- Le Bris will note the threats posed by Yoane Wissa, who proved quietly impressive after making his debut from the bench, and a renascent Anthony Gordon, but he may also detect cause for optimism.
