Ian Wright believes Arsenal should have taken a draw against Villa

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·6 December 2025

Ian Wright believes Arsenal should have taken a draw against Villa

Arsenal’s defeat to Aston Villa has prompted significant reflection, with Ian Wright arguing that the Gunners should have settled for a draw rather than pushing recklessly for a late winner. The match ended 2-1 after a decisive late strike from Emi Buendia, a moment that punished Arsenal’s insistence on chasing all three points instead of securing what could have been a valuable result. Throughout the closing stages, Arsenal refused to protect the 1-1 scoreline and continued to commit bodies forward, a decision that ultimately left them exposed.

Wright’s Assessment of Arsenal’s Approach

Mikel Arteta’s substitutions clearly indicated an intent to secure victory. With the team leading the league standings, there was an evident desire to maintain a comfortable advantage before rivals had the chance to narrow the gap over the weekend. Arsenal understood the importance of creating opportunities and securing the win, particularly given the competitive nature of the title race. However, their aggressive pursuit left spaces that Villa were able to exploit. The home side continued to push with purpose and eventually capitalised, scoring the decisive goal against an Arsenal team that appeared to have run out of solutions for dealing with Villa’s sustained pressure.

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(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Expectations Versus Outcome

Wright, observing the match in the studio, emphasised the need for pragmatism in such high-pressure fixtures. Speaking on Premier League Productions, he stated, “I said at the start of the game, I would have taken a draw. It is a good draw against Villa with the way they have been playing. I think it is more important that we manage that. We have to say, ‘Right, let us take a draw. No more trying to take people on.’” His comments underscored the belief that Arsenal’s ambition outweighed their game management at a crucial moment.

For Arsenal, the result serves as a reminder that strategic restraint can be just as important as attacking intent. In a demanding league campaign, protecting points away from home may prove essential if they aim to sustain their position at the summit.

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