Arsenal were always going to have to rotate at some point but doing so against Aston Villa was a risk that could prove decisive in the title racewho not only won their game but witnessed both of their title rivals slipping up on home turf. They have a two-point cushion with six games to go; Arsenal can’t afford to drop any more points and are relying on others to do them a favour. It’s an unenviable position to be in.
Everything was set up for Arsenal to maintain their momentum and yet they failed to grasp it. Inevitable questions over their fortitude and readiness to win the top prizes will resurface, but maybe this was a case of Arteta overthinking it. Considering how dangerous Villa are, this seemed like an odd occasion for Arteta to tweak a winning formula and incorporate the pair in his starting line-up., not just providing goals and assists at a previously unforeseen rate, but also blossoming into an effective target man, link-man and game-stretching runner, all in one neat package.
It would be hard to denigrate Jesus based on a performance that was fine; the issue is how his deployment through the middle impacted the rest of the Arsenal attack. Bukayo Saka made a lively start but faded; Martin Odegaard was substituted after picking up a knock with the scores level; and neither Havertz nor Leandro Trossard contributed enough. It was a risky ploy from Arteta and one that backfired.Jorginho, meanwhile, was left out entirely.