Mikel Arteta has serious Arsenal fitness questions after Aston Villa dent league title hopes

A very frustrating day for Arsenal yesterday as their title credentials took a serious hit following a damaging 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa. Goals from Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins were the daggers to the hearts of fans who had gone into the game knowing they could go three points clear of Liverpool after they lost to Crystal Palace.

Arsenal now go to Germany hoping to keep their Champions League hopes alive by facing Bayern Munich in the Allianz Arena. A clash which could have serious momentum-building potential or the chance to spark headlines questioning whether the season could end prematurely.

There were plenty of talking points from the game and whilst the overwhelming feeling is one of negativity, there were some lights in the darkness to highlight. Whilst also assessing where the side now go from here.

That kick to the chest in the second half seemed to end his game and Arsenal’s hopes of a goal. The Norwegian ran things in the first half and how they didn’t manage to score will be a mystery for the ages.

His touches and movement throughout were mesmerising, the spins and passes – in particular the through ball to Bukayo Saka in the first half – but none of it led to anything more than half chances. Hopefully, he is indeed fine for the trip to Germany because his team will need him, big time.

Where last season, defeats to Brighton and Nottingham Forest after dropped points to West Ham and Southampton saw the title race end with little more than a fizzle, with six games left the Gunners are two points behind the league leaders but are now reliant on them to drop points.

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