ARSENE WENGER insists Arsenal are still the
favourites for the title after this late smash 'n grab. Nicklas
Bendtner's last-gasp equaliser kept the Gunners on top of the
Premier League.
The North London side had looked like losing their
place at the summit after Phillipe Senderos' first-half own goal.
The Swiss defender turned the ball past keeper Manuel Almunia from
Gabriel Agbonlahor's teasing cross.
Aston Villa lost Nigel Reo-Coker and Curtis Davies
through injury but looked to be holding on. But Bendtner struck
with the final kick of the game to save Wenger's men.
The Arsenal boss believes the draw could prove vital at
the end of the season. He said: "The point we gained today
will have a big impact on the league. "If we had lost, that would
be different, but we are still top.
"Everyone goes through a bad spell, but every point
gained is of vital importance. "I know we are not people's
favourites any more for the title, but we are still a point in
front. "We have lost just once all season and we just need to
bounce back from this bad spell.
"In terms of momentum, Manchester United have it - but
my favourites are Arsenal." Wenger admitted Villa proved tough
opponents for his team. He added: "They defended very well and were
sharp on the break. "They are very robust individually and they
expose your defenders to the physical challenge, in a fair way, and
they take advantage.
"They are a handful and we had a hangover from last
week, you could see that. "We had to dig deep to get to the pace of
the game and in the end it was the desire and refusal to lose which
got us a point."
Villa boss Martin O'Neill could not help but be
disappointed given how close his side had come to victory. He said:
"It's hard to describe, to come here and play so well, and we
deserved to win because we played brilliantly. "We're capable of
attacking every team and we didn't come here just to hit them on
the break.
"We're capable of scoring and, unfortunately, conceding
as well." O'Neill added: "It's a mark of our progress, though.
"We're a miles better side than when we came here on the first day
of last season."
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Gallas,
Senderos (Denilson 78), Clichy, Hleb, Fabregas, Flamini (Silva 78),
Diaby (Bendtner 59), Adebayor, Walcott. Subs Not Used: Lehmann,
Justin Hoyte. Booked: Gallas. Goals: Bendtner 90.
Aston Villa: Carson, Gardner, Laursen,
Davies (Osbourne 40), Bouma, Young, Reo-Coker (Knight 32), Barry,
Maloney (Harewood 71), Carew, Agbonlahor. Subs Not Used: Taylor,
Salifou. Booked: Barry, Osbourne. Goals: Senderos 27 og.
Att: 60,097
Ref: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne &
Wear).
