Russo spares Arsenal blushes but latest setback increases pressure on Slegers

One shot, on target and in the back of the net, was all it took for Aston Villa to reopen the wound that Arsenal had been carefully trying to stitch back up.

Despite almost 65% possession, 28 shots to one, and 56 touches in the opposition box to four, Alessia Russo’s 85th-minute goal meant Arsenal were only able to salvage a point against Villa after back-to-back wins in the league and Champions League had appeared to have kickstarted their season.

The worst possible scenario for a team that has struggled against low blocks arrived in the 25th minute, when Lynn Wilms found Chasity Grant, who fired low into the bottom corner.