Arsenal slipped to a 1-0 defeat against Aston Villa on Saturday, February 6 early kick-off game.
Watkins made the most of some lax defending between Arsenal’ Cedric Soares and Gabriel, which allowed Bertrand Traore steal the ball and help his teammate for a close-range finish.
The striker netted the only goal of the afternoon with only 74 seconds on the clock.
The defeat caps the disappointing week for Arsenal after they were beaten by Wolves on Tuesday night and with today’s match, their recent form has again been halted.
The result confines Arsenal to 10th place in the table, having played more games than those around them. Their hope for European qualification is gradually fading away.
Arsenal’s debutant goalkeeper, Mat Ryan was the busier of the two goalkeepers on the pitch, denying Traore on the stroke of half-time.
Ryan also kept out efforts from Jack Grealish, Ollie Watkins and John McGinn in the second half. Ryan came into the squad as a replacement of suspended Leno, who was dismissed in Arsenal loss against Wolves.
Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta speaking with newsmen after the loss claims his side created the chance to put the game to bed but were not clinical enough against Villa when it counted.
Arteta stated;
I’m extremely disappointed to lose and the way we lost it. We were the better team; we controlled every department, but we gave them the ball. We gave them another three big chances. Then when we had to score the goal, we didn’t find the right pass or the right shot. They were better in boxes and that’s how you win games.
We created enough opportunities, we didn’t score, we cannot win the game. We just gave them the ball; a moment you make a mistake and they punish you. You cannot win football matches if every week you do something like that. Four of our five times we’ve played with 10 men.
Following this match, Arsenal are next in action next Sunday when they host Leeds before a Europa League first leg against Benfica the following Thursday.
