After such a brilliant performance full of energy, cutting edge and drive, Arsenal inexplicably found a way to chuck two points away as their jaded, injury-hit team were dejected at the final whistle. They’re still 12 games unbeaten in the Premier League but this draw hurt. It stung. It felt like a defeat.

Arne Slot’s team had threatened to run away with the 2024-25 Premier League, but after their draw at Nottingham Forest on Tuesday and Arsenal’s win over Tottenham Hotspur the following night, the gap is down to four points — albeit Liverpool have a game in hand.

Arsenal's failure to defeat Aston Villa evokes the reality of the Gunners' lack of squad depth to compete for the Premier League title.