Arsenal ended their winless run in dramatic vogue as they got here from behind to beat Aston Villa 4-2 at Villa Park and transfer high of the desk on the ultimate whistle.

The Gunners have been stage going into stoppage time however Jorginho’s strike got here again off the crossbar and deflected off Emiliano Martinez into the online to spark wild celebrations, earlier than substitute Gabriel Martinelli capped the comeback with a fourth on the breakaway.

Villa led twice within the first half by way of Ollie Watkins and Philippe Coutinho however Mikel Arteta’s crew confirmed their combating spirit to stage it twice by way of Bukayo Saka after which – simply after the hour – Oleksandr Zinchenko. However the drama was nonetheless to come back.

Aaron Ramsdale tipped Leon Bailey’s drive in opposition to the body of the purpose and Arsenal capitalised on that escape very late on. The outcome moved them three factors clear on the high previous to Manchester Metropolis’s sport later within the afternoon – restoring perception of their title dream.

In photos: How Martinelli sealed the win

Arteta: ‘It was completely bouncing’

“We confirmed character, resilience,” Arteta instructed BT Sport. “Within the second half we created likelihood after likelihood. We would have liked a magic second and Jorginho produced it.

“After what occurred a number of days in the past, we’re so happy to win the sport. If you wish to be on the high you must win video games in many alternative methods.

“It was completely bouncing [in the dressing room], it was an enormous effort to play lower than 72 hours after outcome we had. I am actually happy with the boys.”

How the drama unfolded at Villa Park

Villa have scored the next proportion of targets within the opening quarter of an hour than another Premier League crew this season and in opposition to Arsenal they required solely 5 minutes for Watkins to search out the online. It’s the fourth sport in a row through which the striker has scored.

There had been a warning even earlier than that together with his velocity working in behind and when William Saliba backed off and backed off he took benefit – firing low past Ramsdale. It was the worst begin for a wobbling Arsenal however they discovered a response.

Saka may be in even higher kind than Watkins and Tyrone Mings’ clearance would have seemed inviting to the England winger. He lashed the ball into the online past an unsighted Martinez and the away assist beloved it. An opportunity to settle, to begin to management.

As an alternative, the attractive passing purpose got here from Villa. Martinez constructed the play, Boubacar Kamara threaded a ball by way of to Alex Moreno and the full-back’s cross was delightfully dummied by Emi Buendia. Coutinho did the remainder, scoring his first purpose of the season.

Arsenal’s gamers got here out early for the second half, gathering in a huddle, out to grab the second. Eddie Nketiah hit the crossbar with a header. Then Zinchenko introduced them stage following Martin Odegaard’s brief nook. However they nonetheless wanted extra.

When Odegaard missed a transparent likelihood that seemed to be it. Villa had big alternatives of their very own on the counter-attack and Bailey got here so near profitable it for Villa – with movie star supporter Tom Hanks cheering them on. He didn’t choose the script that awaited.

Jorginho tried an bold shot from vary and the ball ricocheted again off the purpose, putting Martinez. The goalkeeper promptly went up the opposite finish for a nook and was caught out on the break when Fabio Vieira unselfishly performed in Martinelli.

Arteta had been going through the prospect of a fourth Premier League sport with out a win – a fifth in all competitions. That will have added to the sense that the momentum was with Metropolis. What occurred in stoppage time adjustments all of that.

Arsenal will imagine once more.

Arsenal’s win in stats

• Arsenal have now conceded the opening purpose in 4 of their final 5 Premier League video games, yet another than they did of their first 18 video games of the 2022-23 marketing campaign.
• Solely Erling Haaland and Harry Kane have been concerned in additional Premier League targets this season than Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka.
• Oleksandr Zinchenko scored his first Premier League purpose in what was his 92nd look within the competitors. He’s Arsenal’s thirteenth totally different scorer within the league this season, the outright most.
• Arsenal have scored a ninetieth minute winner away from house within the Premier League for the primary time since Gabriel Martinelli netted in opposition to Crystal Palace in Might 2021.

What’s subsequent?

Aston Villa’s subsequent outing is at house to Everton subsequent Saturday; kick-off 3pm. Unai Emery’s aspect then host Crystal Palace on Saturday March 4; kick-off 3pm.

Arsenal will now put together for a visit to Leicester subsequent Saturday; kick-off 3pm. Mikel Arteta’s aspect then host Everton – who beat them 1-0 earlier this month – on Wednesday March 1; kick-off 7.45pm.