Arsenal were hoping to put criticism over their lack of summer transfer activity to one side and let their football do the talking when they hosted Aston Villa in their Premier League opener.
Arsene Wenger's tight control over the Emirates Stadium pursestrings was temporarily forgotten when Oliver Giroud put the Gunners ahead inside six minutes.
However, after seeing his initial penalty saved, Christian Benteke headed in the rebound to equalise for Villa, and then scored from the spot after the break, before things went from bad to worse for the under-fire Wenger.
Laurent Koscielny was sent off in the latter stages before one of Villa's new recruits, Antonio Luna, netted a debut goal to ensure that Paul Lambert's side would begin their campaign with a fantastic away win.
Read how the events in north London unfolded below.
It's Christmas Day for English football fans - the Premier League is back! Here, we're covering the battle the clash between the division's top two sides - Arsenal and Aston Villa! Both sides were battling at opposite ends of the table last season, but the matches between the two were close. Let's hope for something similar today.
There is no team news from the Emirates Stadium, although it is expected shortly. From an Arsenal point of view we already know that they will be without influential midfielder Mikel Arteta because of an injury. The Spaniard's absence is bound to be noticeable and could well be something Villa look to exploit.
Having said that, the lineups are now just starting to filter through. Let's begin with the away side...
ASTON VILLA XI: Guzan; Lowton, Vlaar, Baker, Luna; El Ahmadi, Westwood, Delph; Agbonlahor, Benteke, Weimann
Just the one new face in the Villa starting side in the form of left-back Antonio Luna. Christian Benteke is also included following reports, that proved to be false, on Twitter that he had broken his leg on international duty with Belgium during the week. He will be supported by Gabriel Agbonlahor and Andreas Weimann from wide areas.
And now for the hosting Gunners...
ARSENAL XI: Szczesny; Sagna, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Gibbs; Ramsey, Wilshere, Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott; Giroud
Look at all those new signings Arsenal supporters! Okay, that's a cheap dig, sorry! It's not Wayne Rooney or Luis Suarez leading the attack, but Olivier Giroud. The remainder of the team is also full of familiar faces, with new signing Yaya Sanogo named among the substitutes.
In all seriousness, it has been a disappointing summer from an Arsenal point of view. They've been paired with some of the biggest names in world football, but so far there have been no major arrivals. It's hard to see how without them how they are going to finish any higher than fourth without fresh recruits.
As for Villa, they are working within a budget. There young side will perhaps be another year wiser for their experiences last time out, but it's a tough start at Arsenal. You'd imagine that they would happily take a draw back up to Birmingham with them from this one.
Sorry for the delay in posts - we have had some technical issues that we hope will soon be behind us. Meanwhile, the players are just about to make their way onto the pitch.
GAME ON! Premier League football is back underway at the Emirates Stadium with hosting Arsenal attacking from left to right.
It has been a bright start by the home side who have forced two early corners - both won by Kieran Gibbs. They've come to nothing, but it is a sign that Arsene Wenger's side are determined to score an early goal here.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Villa (Giroud)
If ever there was a goal that summed Arsenal up, this was it. It's brilliant from Jack Wilshere, who tricks his way out of his own corner flag before picking out Tomas Rosicky. He in turn plays a ball down the line for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. From there it is all about the England youngster, who shows great awareness to drill in a cross for Giroud and the Frenchman makes no mistake from close range. Arsenal are off and running.
It could be a bad start to the season for Villa defender Nathan Baker, who is down clutching his ankle following a collision with Theo Walcott. The physio is on, but this doesn't look good for Baker.
SUBSTITUTION: And that is indeed game over for Baker. He tried to run off the complaint, but the pain doesn't appear to have subsided. He has limped off and has been replaced by Republic of Ireland international Ciaran Clark
PENALTY TO VILLA!
Well, well - a big chance for Villa coming up. Arsenal aren't happy and you can sort of understand their frustrations. Agbonlahor bursts into the Arsenal box and gets to the ball ahead of goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who brings him down. The ball drops to Weimann, who shoots into the side netting. It seems that the Austrian has blown the advantage, but Anthony Taylor blows for a penalty. Arsenal believe that Villa have had their chance, but the referee is having none of it. Benteke will take the spot kick...
GOAL! Arsenal 1-1 Villa (Benteke)
Villa's leading goalscorer from last season can breathe a huge sigh of relief as he draws his side level, just! His penalty is poor and easily stopped by Szczesny, but the Belgian is able to beat the keeper to the rebound to nod the ball into an unguarded net.
SUBSTITUTION: It's now Arsenal's turn to make an early defensive change, with a head injury forcing Gibbs off the pitch. There is a lot of blood streaming down his face following a clash with Weimann. Carl Jenkinson will take his place.
SUBSTITUTION: It's now Arsenal's turn to make an early defensive change, with a head injury forcing Gibbs off the pitch. There is a lot of blood streaming down his face following a clash with Weimann. Carl Jenkinson will take his place.
31 min: BOOKINGS! For all of his talent, Wilshere is a fiery little player. He has every right to be upset by the challenge that Vlaar made on him, it was late and high. The Villa captain is booked, as is Wilshere for his reaction.
CHANCE! Confusion between Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan and new boy Luna almost gifts Arsenal a second goal. Walcott benefits by claiming possession, but his cross doesn't find Giroud, who was waiting for a tap in.
What an earth is Szczesny up to?! The Polish keeper sprints off his line to meet Benteke, who attempts to round him. The Arsenal stopper makes a tackle 25 yards from his own goal, but then appears to pull back the Villa striker. The referee fails to spot that, but Ashley Westwood does see Szczesny way off his line. He goes for goal from 35 yards out, but Szczesny gets back just in time to tip his effort wide.
Up the other end Arsenal are searching for the goal that would give them the lead before the break, but both Giroud and Rosicky have failed to make the most of good positions inside the area.
The injuries mean that we will have four minutes of stoppage time at the end of the second half.
HALF-TIME: Arsenal 1-1 Villa
Fair play to level - they deserve to be level at the break. Arsenal came out of the traps like a greyhound and scored a very good early goal, but the away side refused to let their heads dropped and have played some good football.
It is also a half that is shown just how vital it was that Villa kept hold of Benteke. His penalty may have been very poor, but he was alert enough to pounce on the rebound and he has caused a handful of problems for the Arsenal rearguard.
What's more, that was his seventh goal in his last eight Premier League matches - that shows how valuable he is.
Right, the players are now slowly filtering back on to the pitch. Not long now until we are back off and running at the Emirates.
UNDERWAY! As the game restarts, Arsenal have made the their second change of the encounter with Santi Cazorla replacing Oxlade-Chamberlain.
CHANCE! Big opportunity for Rosicky, who really should have buried Arsenal's second. The chance opens up for him 16 yards from goal, but with just Guzan to beat, the Czech Republic midfielder curled his effort wide of the right post.
OFF THE POST! So close for Villa - desperately in fact. Delph bursts through from midfield and having weighed up his options, he drives a low effort towards goal. Szczesny is well beaten, but the ball cannons to safety off the upright.
PENALTY TO VILLA!
Another one! It's harsh on Arsenal as well because replays show that Laurent Koscielny gets his boot to the ball before Agbonlahor, who hits the turf. Taylor points to the spot again though and books the French centre-back.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-2 Villa (Benteke)
Benteke makes no mistake this time, sending the ball into the left-hand side of the goal. Villa lead at the Emirates!
RED CARD! Koscielny (Arsenal)
It has gone from bad to worse for Arsenal and Koscielny. The defender is clearly frustrated over the penalty decision and makes a late challenge on Weimann, who makes the most of it. Out comes the second yellow and it is an early bath for Koscielny. Arsenal are in trouble now.
SAVE! Brilliant from Guzan, who has kept Villa in front here. Giroud and Rosicky link to free the latter, but his goalbound effort from close is palmed to safety by the American keeper.
SAVE! Even better from Guzan, who is frustrating Arsenal at the moment. Cazorla strikes a powerful volley from 10 yards out that Guzan has no right to see, let alone save. Stop it he does though, pushing the ball on to the bar before it is cleared to safety.
Benteke has just a couple of half chances to seal the victory for Villa and complete his hat-trick, but he is lacking his usual composure and the chances are missed. Will he pay for that?
GOAL! Arsenal 1-3 Villa (Luna)
What a way to announce yourself to your new supporters. The whole of the Arsenal team are virtually in the Villa half as a corner is taken. It's cleared and the full-back breaks quickly, leaving himself with just Szczesny to beat. He does so with ease, sending the ball into the net via the upright. Game over!
We will have three minutes of stoppage time.
FULL TIME: Arsenal 1-3 Villa
Written by
Liam Apicella
Liam Apicella
