Post-Villa quotes round-up: Arteta, Emery, Martinelli, Watkins, Tielemans, Wright
Yesterday at 04:49 PM
Arsenal delivered a dominant performance against Aston Villa, but for the second consecutive season, Unai Emery dealt his former club’s title hopes a significant blow as his side fought back from two goals down to earn a draw.
The Gunners should have seen the game out after Kai Havertz doubled the advantage given to them by Gabriel Martinelli but defensive lapses allowed the visitors back into things as Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins pounced in the box.
Adding insult to injury, VAR, citing handball, ruled out a late winner after Havertz deflected a Mikel Merino past Emi Martinez. With Liverpool snatching a last-gasp victory over Brentford, the title now appears firmly in the Reds’ hands.
Here’s what the managers, players, pundits and stattos made of the action…
Arteta on his side not getting what they deserved…
We were unbelievable again, I’m so proud of the way we played, how dominant we were, how fluid we were, how much we put into it. We played three games in six days, one with 120 minutes, almost the same players, I’m so proud of them and at the same time so disappointed with the result and especially with how softly we conceded the second goal. In general, our overall play, our high press, the way we defended, individually some massive performances, we deserve more, we didn’t get it and we’re sad because of that.
Source:BBC Sport
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Unai Emery on the way his side fought back…
We competed well. To get something here is very difficult. To compete like we did is the only way. They were controlling and pushing more [earlier on]. We had to defend strongly. The second half we reacted well. The mentality we showed is the mentality we want. We needed the goalkeeper, the defenders. We were always trying some transitions. Fantastic job. Now we are in good balance. We are fighting with really strong teams. How we started the second part of the season has been good.
Source: Sky Sports
2 – Arsenal have failed to win a Premier League home game in which they led by 2+ goals for the first time since October 2019 (2-2 vs Crystal Palace), having won each of their last 46 before tonight. Agonising.
— OptaJoe (@optajoe.com) January 18, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Gabriel Martinelli on a disappointing evening…
It’s a disappointing day. We wanted to win the game, but we have to keep going. We trust in ourselves, and we have to keep going and improving – it is a long journey to go. We have to focus on ourselves. That’s football, that’s the Premier League, the most difficult league in the world. We have to see the game and see what we have done wrong and improve for the next games. We know our qualities and we know the potential we have and we trust in ourselves.”
Source: Sky Sports
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Villa goalscorer Ollie Watkins on Arsenal’s defending…
We knew they went man to man. There was chances there to be taken as they’re always a little bit open. When I got my goal I felt we had enough time to push on and get a goal, but it was about being brave and making more passes.
Source: Sky Sports
11 – Arsenal have scored more goals from crosses than any other team in the Premier League this season (11), while Leandro Trossard is one of only two players to assist 2+ goals via crosses in a game this season (also Damsgaard v Wolves in October). Formula.
— OptaJoe (@optajoe.com) January 18, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Martinelli on his goal…
It was an amazing cross from Leo, to be fair I thought the ball wasn’t in, but luckily the ref gave us the goal.
Source:Arsenal.com
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Ollie Watkins on VAR ruling out a late Arsenal winner…
Seeing it back there, I’m not sure. I think it’s going in favour of us to be honest. From that angle, I’m not sure. But that’s what VAR is there for.
Source:Sky Sports
Arsenal have dropped 12 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season, their most in a single campaign since 2019-20 (21).
Our stats report from their 2-2 draw against Aston Villa:
theanalyst.com/2025/01/arse…
— Opta Analyst (@optaanalyst.optajoe.com) January 18, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Paul Merson on the handball awarded against Kai Havertz…
It’s handball. It’s blatant. The rules are, if it hits your hand…I can’t believe Havertz has run away [to celebrate], what’s he thinking. I can understand if you do that in the Championship, you’re going to get away with it, there’s no VAR. You know.
Source:Sky Sports
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Ian Wright on Arsenal needing to sign players this month…
The underlying factor is the manager needs help. You look at the benches; you look at who they’re able to bring on. It just looks like he needs help now. They need help. We have to buy some players. We have to. Even when Saka was fit, we needed another forward. We need to get bodies into that team to help them. They look knackered after a while there as well. They need help.
Source:premierleague.com
0.8 – Since the start of 2022-23, Arsenal have conceded 0.8 goals per Premier League game when William Saliba has played (85 matches), compared to 1.7 per game when he hasn’t featured (13 matches). Integral.
— OptaJoe (@optajoe.com) January 18, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Arteta on whether he’s worried about William Saliba’s hamstring issue…
Yes, for sure, especially with the numbers we have in the squad and looking at our bench. Very worried.
Source:Post-game press conference
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Youri Tielemans on a positive draw for Villa…
From our point of view [a good result] is always deserved. We take the point and move forward. They had many chances but we defended with our bodies on the line. 2-2 is a good result for us.
Source:BBC Sport
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One win, four draws and one defeat. To be fair it’s mostly dictated by injury.
Record without him at right back Won 11 Drawn 4 and Lost 1.
— Orbinho (@orbinho.bsky.social) January 18, 2025 at 9:07 PM
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