'Hope became fear' - National media all saying same thing about Arsenal after Aston Villa defeat

Arsenal were stunned by Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon to leave Manchester City in pole position at the top of the Premier League table.

The Gunners started the contest their usual self with Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus missing chances. Liverpool's 1-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace earlier in the day had added an extra incentive but Mikel Arteta's side failed to capitalise.

Leon Bailey put Villa ahead in the 84th minute before Ollie Watkins doubled their lead just three minutes later to silence the Emirates Stadium.Arsenal are now two points behind Man City with six games remaining.

Ironically, the surprise defeat came on the same weekend which saw the Gunners' collapse in the Premier League title race last season. Fortunately, Arteta's men will still move to the top of the table if they defeat Wolves next Saturday with City in FA Cup action, and can extend that lead to four points in midweek before the champions play another league fixture.

All eyes will be on the north Londoners in Munich on Wednesday evening and how they respond to the setback over the weekend. Here's how the national media reacted.

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Jason Burst, of The Telegraph, wrote: «Suddenly it feels like this has been the pivotal weekend in the Premier League title race. Just after Liverpool threw away their chance to resume the leadership, Arsenal choked.

»It was an accusation levelled against them last season, unfairly so as they were then in a fight to be champions that no one expected, but if they fail to finish first this time round it is a charge they