ASTON Villa struck late today to beat Arsenal 2-1 and end the Gunners’ long unbeaten English Premier League stretch.
Emi Buendia scored with the last kick of the encounter at Villa Park to snatch the three points for Aston Villa and move them three points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Leandro Trossard’s sixth goal of the season looked to have earned a point for Arsenal after he cancelled out Matty Cash’s opener.
But Buendia struck in the 94th minute as Unai Emery’s side moved into second in the table.
Arsenal, who dominated Bayern Munich and Tottenham away last month, suffered their first defeat in the league since losing 1-0 at Liverpool in August.
The Gunners had gone 11 matches without defeat in the Premier League and in 18 matches in all competitions before today’s loss.
Villa Park erupted after substitute Buendia scored to give Villa their seventh straight victory in all competitions.
They have won nine of their past 10 in the league.
Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze had a goal disallowed for offside before the hosts took a first-half lead when Arsenal – especially Eze – switched off to allow Cash to drill in at the far post.
Arsenal emerged re-energised after the break when Mikel Arteta introduced Viktor Gyokeres and Trossard, who levelled with his 50th Premier League goal, having already gone close.
Emi Martinez brilliantly tipped Martin Odegaard’s shot over as Arsenal looked for a winner, but Buendia stole the points in dramatic style, curling in after Arsenal failed to clear with several attempts.