Arsenal managed Mikel Arteta refused to criticise VAR but slammed the defending for Ollie Watkins' equaliser in Saturday's 2-2 draw against Aston Villa.

Arsenal star Thomas Partey has been called out a crucial error during the Gunners’ 2-2 draw with Aston Villa – a result that sees Mikel Arteta’s side lose more valuable ground on Liverpool in the Premier League title race.

I like to think of myself as an optimistic person, and I sit, writing this piece, in the wake of Arsenal’s draw to Aston Villa with an inescapable sense that it simply is not the Gunners' year. Some might ask why it has taken me so long to get to this point after everything that has happened,