Arsenal squandered the chance to return to the top of the Premier League with two late goals, condemning them to a 2-0 defeat against Aston Villa.
After Liverpool’s 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace, the Gunners would have moved ahead of Manchester City at the top with a win, while opening up a bigger margin over the Reds.
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But it was Villa, chasing the Champions League, who stole all three points in a dramatic final in north London.
Leon Bailey was first to find the target, at the back post with David Raya racing towards goal to make the save.
Moments later, Ollie Watkins deliciously chipped the Arsenal keeper from inside the box to double their lead in style.
Arsenal had plenty of chances to find the breakthrough, but simply couldn’t find a way past Villa’s resolute defense.
Former goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez surprisingly denied Leandro Trossard in the first half as the Gunners failed to provide an answer.
The result sees them remain second in the table and two points behind reigning champions and leaders Manchester City.
Arsenal started the weekend on top and a home win would have kept the title race in their hands.
But their fifth league defeat of the campaign means the situation is out of their control as things stand, with six games remaining.
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Mikel Arteta’s side are also level on points with Liverpool, but lead the Reds on goal difference as the season winds down.
Villa’s victory proved huge in the race for the Champions League as they now sit in the coveted fourth place ahead of Tottenham.
Spurs have a game in hand but the victory at Arsenal gives them great confidence for their remaining matches.
The Gunners suffered a defeat for the first time since losing to Porto in the Champions League round of 16 in mid-February.
It is also the first time they have lost in the league in 2024, but it could prove decisive in the title race this season.
Arsenal’s attention will now turn to their Champions League quarter-final second leg clash against Bayern Munich on Wednesday, but until then this defeat will continue to sting.
Last season they fell to City at the final hurdle, something they will desperately avoid repeating in the coming weeks.
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